Hacking
 the
 Future
 and
 the Planet
 focuses
 on
 the
 ambivalent
 character
 of
 large‐scale
 interventions
 in
 the
 global
 climate
 system,
 geoengineering
 technologies
 that
 “hack
 the
 planet”
 to
 slow
 or
 even
 reverse
 our
 civilizations’
 impact
 on
 the
 climate
 and
 environment
 to
 counter
 global
 warming.
 On
 a
 local
 level,
 geoengineering
 technologies
 also
 include
 modifications
 like
 huge
 dikes
 that
 could
 possibly
 prevent
 the
 Maldives,
 Venice
 or
 New
 York,
 all
 three
 at
 risk
 of
 flooding
 due
 to
 global
 warming 
and 
rising 
sea 
levels, 
of 
their
somewhat
 similar 
destinies. 
However, 
the 
side 
effects 
of 
these
 constructions,
 as
 well
 as
 of
 other
 geoengineering
 laboratory
 experiments
 or
 field
 tests,
 on
 natural
 and
 cultural
 habitats
 are
 unpredictable
 and
 pose
 numerous
 ethical
 and
 geopolitical
 questions.Who
 should 
decide 
if 
the 
application
 of 
geoengineering
 technologies 
would
 be 
legitimate 
and 
suitable 
to
 save 
the 
nature 
of
 unique 
places 
for 
humanity 
and
 above 
all 
for 
their 
local 
populations?

The work of the interdisciplinary artist Klaus Schafler refers to the notion of public sphere and phenomena of transition and transformation in different (sub-) urban and geopolitical frameworks. In a situationist manner, Schafler creates scenarios that illustrate what would happen if we were to follow the simple formula of politics. In artistic pseudo-laboratory situations, he explores societal realities, futurology, false prognoses and failed experiments, fictions, science, and responsibility and knowledge mainstreams.

His long-term research project „2050“- the year, which is often used as the „horizon“ for climate change – focuses on different aspects within this debate. Over the last years a research grant (art-science initiative) by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture, 2010 – 2012 made it possible for him to travel around the world in order to talk to scientists and activists, who deal with weather manipulation and geo-engineering in theory and practice in a wide range.

His work and interventions as well as the published book “Hacking the Planet and Future” (2013) offer diverse insights into the complicated relationship between micro aspects and „world“ as relational terms.Recent and upcoming shows/projects involve venues like NGBK, Berlin / Art Share LA, Los Angeles / Regionale 12, Murau / Johnson Design Center, Parsons, The New School, New York / Hacking Kulmland, Main Square Pischelsdorf / Space for Art and Industry, New York / Borderline, European Capital of Culture, Maribor / JAUS, Los Angeles / KSAK, Center for Contemporary Art Chisinau / Minoriten Galerien Graz / Anni Art Gallery, 798, Beijing

www.schafler.net