Extreme Presence

Extreme Presence gathers artists, thinkers and technologists to ask: what forms does presence take when the world and its technologies exceed what can be explained, known, or felt? Following the Art in the Metaverse and Digital Cosmos conferences (2023–2025), Extreme Presence continues and expands the research and development activities of the future Hartwig Museum, investigating the influence of theology in contemporary art and digital technology, alongside ecological practices that have long centred presence and relation.

Extreme Presence responds to a current ‘devotional turn’: a renewed engagement with forms of mysticism and contemplative traditions in the face of planetary complexity and technological acceleration. How are these frameworks shaping the technologies we build and inhabit today, and what futures do they make intelligible, or imaginable? 

Sessions will explore questions including:
- The influence of mystical and spiritual traditions on contemporary practices in advanced computing and artificial intelligence;
- Philosophies and ethics of interrelation, and what kinds of technologies can be built on different foundations;
- Contemplative practices and non-human consciousness;
- Technologies of cultivation: artistic Research and Development across education, incubation and museum infrastructures. 

Participants include researcher Haley Albert, curator and writer Daniel Blanga Gubbay, Analogue founder Aishwarya Khanduja, artist Christopher Kulendran Thomas, artist Jeremy Shaw, philosopher Lukáš Likavčan, artist Mark Leckey, artist Sammy Lee, artist Lawrence Lek, writer Taylor Le Melle, artist Xin Liu, philosopher Fainos Mangena, Restless Egg co-founder William Morgan, conservationist and designer Prathima Muniyappa, poet Holly Pester, poet Ariana Reines, writer Aliya Say, artist Marilou Schultz, publisher and writer Sarah Shin, curator and writer Lua Vollaard, alongside online and film contributions by artist Liu Chuang, scholar Bogna Konior, games designer Elizabeth LaPensée, artist Tabita Rezaire, writer Sumana Roy, and more.  

"Extreme Presence marks a significant moment in the development of Hartwig Museum's future research capabilities, ahead of our opening in 2028. It strengthens our commitment to working with artists and practitioners beyond disciplines as research partners. As such, it continues Hartwig Art Foundation’s multi-year investigation into the intersections of art and advanced technology and what museum infrastructures can meaningfully sustain them." – Beatrix Ruf, Director Hartwig Art Foundation

Extreme Presence is curated by Lucia Pietroiusti, Head of Research & Emergence, Hartwig Art Foundation, in collaboration with Memory Gems (Leonardo Dellanoce and Arthur Steiner) and the Hartwig Art Foundation team. 

Spread across three locations in Amsterdam Zuid—Hartwig Proxy (Parnassusweg 213), Cinema The Pulse, (Hildegard Von Bingenstraat 4) and the newly opened pop-up space Parnassus 212 (Parnassusweg 212)—the programme combines talks, performances, screenings and workshops. Programme components can be attended individually. Consult the full programme schedule here. 

Tickets available here

Live events, talks and performances, Hartwig Proxy and Cinema The Pulse: EUR 10 / 8 (reduced) 

Film screenings, Cinema The Pulse: EUR 5

Workshops, Parnassus 212: EUR 10 / 8 (reduced)   

About Hartwig Art Foundation
Hartwig Art Foundation is dedicated to the production, presentation, and collection of contemporary art. We foster contemporary artistic development, exchange and critical enquiry through global collaborations and commissions. Currently, we are developing the Hartwig Museum, a major new contemporary art museum in Amsterdam scheduled to open in 2028. Until then, our temporary space, Hartwig Proxy, serves as a testing ground and meeting place in the city for artists, neighbours and cultural communities alike. For more information, please visit www.hartwigartfoundation.nl.