The Imaginary 20th Century

Book excerpt: The new polyphonic, multipolar art form, the GLOBALE, laboratory and academy at the same time, will begin with the 300th anniversary of the city of Karlsruhe in June 2015 and then continue for 300 days. It focuses on the cultural effects of globalization and digitalization, which both influence life on our planet. Exhibitions, concerts, performances, lectures, conferences and symposia show the crucial artistic, social and scientific trends of the 21st Century for the first time. 0It is not about a new geopolitical cartography of culture, but the variety and richness of contemporary art beyond the market and the connection with technology and science. This art is performative and action-oriented and replaces representation by reality. In the mirror of globalization new tradition lines come into view, for example an extended Renaissance term to Asian and Arabic contributions. Globalization and digitalization cause a global synchronization of events, but also new forms of asynchrony, a 'confluence of cultures' (Peter Weibel) and a 'clash of civilizations' (Samuel Huntington). 0Exhibition: ZKM Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe, Germany (19.06.2015-17.04.2016).