Preserving for Eternity
We live in a world where we store all our memories in the cloud: photos, messages, videos – our lives are digital and seemingly accessible forever. But what if this cloud suddenly disappeared? What if a fire, a solar storm, or the passage of time erased our data forever? On March 9, 2021, this exact scenario occurred: A data center in Strasbourg burned down, and millions of files were irretrievably lost. This moment reminded us that the internet is not an immaterial space but a physical reality – one that is vulnerable. But what does this mean for you personally? Can we protect ourselves from such losses? One solution is offered by a storage technology called Cold Data, which uses durable, analog materials such as celluloid film that can last up to 500 years. Unlike conventional digital storage media, Cold Data generates no heat – these data remain "cold" and preserved for generations.
Public Call
Und wie viele Selfies machst du so am Tag von dir? Wie viele How many selfies do you take of yourself each day? How many messages do you send? And of all the data you've created and uploaded to the cloud throughout your life – is any of it truly meaningful? At first glance, much of it may seem insignificant. But if we look closer, we quickly realize that these data hold the most important moments of our lives. Imagine you could choose just one image from your smartphone – one image that would stand the test of time. This image could capture a unique moment in your life, one that makes you happy, moves you, or tells a story words cannot express. Which image would you choose? I understand this isn’t an easy question. But that’s the challenge: this decision asks you to reflect on what truly matters to you. What defines you in this world? I invite you to submit your image and thoughts and become part of a collective artistic experiment. The specific question is:
If you could preserve one image for eternity – which one would it be? And why?
The Exhibition
Together with contributions from all participants, we will create an archive that preserves memories and showcases the diversity of our stories. Your image and text will be immortalized on celluloid film and become part of a unique artwork that captures the present and preserves it for future generations. All submitted images and texts will be displayed on March 15, 2025, at 6 PM at the Kesselhaus on the Anschar Campus in Kiel. Take this opportunity to preserve a piece of your life for eternity. Choose your image thoughtfully and share why it is meaningful to you. It might appear trivial or deeply profound – either is perfectly fine. What matters is the meaning you attach to this image. I look forward to your participation. Let’s create an extraordinary archive together.
Partizipation Terms
Thank you for your interest in the Cold Data project! To ensure your contribution becomes part of this special archive, here are the most important guidelines at a glance:
Submission: You can participate by submitting an image (JPG/PNG, max. 5 MB) and a text (max. 1000 characters) anonymously via the form. If you prefer not to write anything, that’s completely fine. Digitized photos from albums are, of course, also welcome.
Fairplay: Submissions must be your own work and must not violate the rights of third parties. Respect and diversity are important to me – discriminatory content is excluded.
Usage: Your contribution will be preserved on celluloid film and presented to the public in an exhibition.
Withdrawal: Of course, you can change your mind. You can withdraw your submission until January 19, 2025.
You can find the detailed participation terms here. I’m excited about your participation, and I hope to see you at the opening!
