Daniela Brugger befasst sich in ihrer künstlerischen Praxis mit den oft unsichtbaren und nicht-binären Aspekten digitaler Technologien. Ihr Interesse liegt auf (Infra-)Strukturen sowie der Materialität digitaler Systeme einschließlich ihrer (kolonialen) Geschichte. In diesem Zusammenhang hat sie „Portals” ins Leben gerufen. Eine öffentliche Veranstaltungsreihe, in der im Dialog Einblicke und Inspirationen im Zusammenhang mit sozial und ökologisch engagierten Technologien geteilt werden.
I’m drawn to spaces where people come together to organize, collaborate, and engage with digital technologies— not only recognizing their fallibility, but also using their potential as tools for self-empowerment. Over time, my focus has shifted toward the underlying structures of these systems, including their (colonial) histories. In 2024, I began a new phase of artistic research called Muddy Codes & Soft Infrastructures, which explores the social and environmental dimensions of digital technology. With it I recently launched Portals, a public event series where I share aspects of this research and the inspirations that shape my practice. My work is grounded in an artistic and intersectional feminist perspective, addressing themes such as peer-to-peer learning, open-source culture, and expanded knowledge spaces. Through this, I critically examine the conditions of existing spaces and seek movement within seemingly rigid structures. Listening and exchange are central to my practice, which spans artistic production, collaboration, curation, and art education. I present my work through performances, installations, video, text, drawing, workshops, and audio pieces.
BIO
I was born in Switzerland and studied in Brussels, Budapest, Zurich, and Basel. I have a Bachelor‘s degree in Art Education, a Master‘s in Fine Arts, and a CAS in Organisational Development. I‘ve completed international studio residencies in Berlin, Johannesburg, New Delhi, Kinshasa, and Rotterdam. Over the years, I‘ve initiated several projects, including Knastradio (2008-2013) – a radio project with inmates, Oppressed by Privilege/Privileged by Oppression (2016-2017) – two bands playing simultaneously, and Who writes his_tory? (ongoing since 2016) – a collaborative Wikipedia writing project. Currently, we‘re working on a publication that reflects on feminist practices within Wikipedia. I live and work in Basel where I am in the executive board of the studios Auf dem Wolf 11, member of Visarte and teach and lecture at the Schule für Gestaltung. My works are part of public collections such as HEK (House of Electronic Arts), Kunstkredit in Basel, Dot.Mov, Kunstkredit BL or Kunstraum Niederoesterreich in Vienna.
Daniela Brugger (she/her)
danielabrugger.ch