11. November 2025, 18:00 until 20:30

Exhibition opening: "Weltverständnis?" by Olaf Osten and panel discussion

Open Forum

Solo show of the artist Olaf Osten in the library: Opening and panel discussion on 11 November 2025

11 November 2025, 18:00: Exhibition opening

Meeting point: Data Visualisation Space, TU Wien Bibliothek, 1040 Wien, Resselgasse 4, Ground floor

18:30: Moderated panel discussion

Lecture room (5th floor); Panellists: Olaf Osten; Dr. Helga Nowotny, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Norbert Pfeifer, Dr. Irina Nalis-Neuner, Univ.-Prof. Dr.Agathe Robisson

At the opening, the artist will guide visitors through the exhibition. In the subsequent panel discussion, we will examine nature and technology, analogue and digital worlds, scientific scepticism and trust in science from the perspective of various disciplines (data science, geoinformation, civil engineering, art).

By learning from and imitating nature's organic system, we humans have expanded it to such an extent over time that we are now potentially losing control. Using the observational system of art, Olaf Osten questions our only partially controllable technological achievements in his exhibition at TU Wien Bibliothek and reminds us that we, the designers of the anthropocene, would be well advised to see ourselves as part of nature, instead of thoughtlessly distancing ourselves too far from it. His works raise various questions of scientific ethics: Should we be guided only by what is possible or also by what is necessary, when curiosity and inventiveness drive us into abstract spheres? How do we behave when it is difficult to predict what technological developments such as artificial intelligence will do to us?

Olaf Osten (b. 1972 in Lübeck, living and working in Vienna since 1997) shows ten selected works from his series „Commuting“, and the video installation „Tele-Vision III-12“ as part of the Vienna Art Week. In addition, he will present his new artist book “Offline” on the topic of digitisation.

Vienna Art Week, opens an external URL in a new window

Art Spaces - Vienna Art Week, opens an external URL in a new window (No. 1, green)

Website of Olaf Osten, opens an external URL in a new window

Calendar entry

Event details

Event location
TU Wien Bibliothek
1040 Wien
Resselgasse 4
Organiser
TU Wien Bibliothek
Silvia Spitaler
silvia.spitaler@tuwien.ac.at
Public
Yes
Entrance fee
No
Registration required
No