The First ARS ELECTRONICA Festival Takes Place in Linz, Austria

“With electronics, a progressive element has entered our technical world, whose influence is not limited to industry and research, but intervenes in all areas of life. This has set in motion a development that opens up astonishing and fantastic aspects, but in other respects also arouses criticism and scepticism.” So begins Herbert W. Franke’s opening text, introducing Ars Electronica. The first edition of the now iconic event, co-founded by Hannes Leopoldseder, Hubert Bognermayr, Herbert W. Franke and Ulrich Rützel, in new media art which continues to this day, annually. Its base is now the Ars Electronica Center (AEC), a museum complex in Linz. While now a new media art institution, its beginnings in 1979 were more humble. Back then, the event was only every two years and was a part of the larger International Bruckner Festival, a Linz music festival. There was also no Prix Ars Electronica until 1987 when the now prestigious award was first handed out.