HEK - Haus der elektronischen Künste Basel

The HEK (Haus der Elektronischen Künste) in Basel has been a central institute for digital culture and new art forms of the information age since 2011. As a national competence center, HEK is dedicated to the creative and critical engagement with the aesthetic, socio-political, and economic impacts of media technologies.

• Interdisciplinary Exhibitions and Events: HEK offers a diverse program of exhibitions, performances, concerts, smaller festival formats, educational and online activities. These events provide insights into art production at the intersection of art, media, and technologies, addressing current social issues and questions[3][4].
• Collection and Preservation of Digital Art: HEK is particularly known for its collection and preservation of digital artworks. It focuses on "born-digital" art, meaning works that originated in the digital medium and often have no physical manifestation. The collection includes software- and network-based works, whose preservation requires innovative strategies and a network of experts[3].
• Education and Mediation: HEK is committed to education and mediation through various programs aimed at promoting understanding of the digital world and enabling critical discourse on the impacts of media technologies.

The main mission of HEK is to serve as a Swiss center for the exploration of art, technology, and media. It relies on an interdisciplinary and dynamic approach to make current topics accessible to both professionals and the general public. HEK places great importance on collaboration with artists, researchers, and institutions from Switzerland and abroad to map, document, and promote current trends in media art[3].

HEK plays a pioneering role in Switzerland in the collection and preservation of digital art. Through innovative strategies and close collaboration with experts, HEK ensures the long-term preservation of digital artworks. Furthermore, HEK promotes awareness of the societal and economic impacts of media technologies through its events and exhibitions, contributing to a sustainable and reflective use of these technologies.

HEK will celebrate its 13th anniversary in 2024 and will offer special events for this occasion. These include anniversary celebrations and special exhibitions highlighting the development and significance of HEK in the digital art scene[5].

Thus, HEK is not just a museum but a vibrant hub for the investigation and promotion of electronic art and digital culture, making a significant contribution to cultural and societal discourse through its diverse activities and initiatives.

• 1 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEK_(Haus_der_Elektronischen_K%C3%BCnste)
• 2 - https://www.basel.com/de/attraktionen/hek-haus-der-elektronischen-kuenste-9442a06a5d
• 3 - https://hek.ch/en/ueber-das-hek/
• 4 - https://memberplus.raiffeisen.ch/de/museum/kunstmuseen/hek-haus-der-elektronischen-kuenste
• 5 - https://hek.ch