‘e-Galaxy’ in Munich: Residency, Exhibition & Public Engagement
In September and October 2025, I presented e-Galaxy in Munich through an exhibition at Digital Art Space alongside a residency at DomagkAteliers, while being accommodated at WagnisArt.
The residency became a rich period of creation, exchange, experimentation, and public engagement. During this time, I developed a new installation, launched a new e-Galaxy video work (edited during the residency with a soundtrack by Munich musicians Rasha Ragab and Christoph Nicolaus / toffaha — see next post — link), facilitated activations and workshops, and participated in several public events.
Workshops & Activations
During the residency, I facilitated:
– 3 activations (including one during the launch of the new video)
– 3 workshops (the first mixed adults and children, the second was for a high school class, and the third for university new media art students)
– a finissage with public participation
One 9-year-old workshop participant said:
“It was really cool. It was interesting learning about all the different technologies. And it was fun to rip apart the phones and computers!”
His parent later wrote:
“The two children met up the following day to continue working on their books. One decided he wanted to make an installation — which is a huge compliment to you because I don’t think he would have known what an art installation was before the workshop!”,/span>
The high school art teacher wrote:
“In one hour, you opened a whole new world approach for my pupils and me. Very grateful!” — Grete
Open Studios & Public Engagement
The project was first shared publicly during the DomagkAteliers Open Studios on 21 September, with approximately 30 participants guided through the studios by art historian Melanie.
I also participated in the DomagkAteliers Open Studios weekend from 10–12 October, which attracted approximately 450 visitors over the three days. As the main e-Galaxy installation was presented at Digital Art Space, visitors at Domagk could not directly experience the labyrinth itself. Instead, I presented a SIM galaxy, screened the video (LINK) featuring miniature galaxies (sculptures), and invited people to dismantle hard drives and engage hands-on with the materials.
Installation
A new installation and activation officially opened at Digital Art Space on 25 September, documented by photographer Diane von Schoen.
A public call-out invited local people to donate electronic waste. Most of the material received consisted of keyboards and computer mice, so I adapted the installation to the available materials and to the scale of the venue. While the gallery could not accommodate a full walkable labyrinth, I used the large shopfront windows and surrounding walls to create a sense of spiralling movement through the space.
I was introduced to the recycler Weißer Rabe, which reminded me of E-Waste Connection in Brisbane, where I volunteer one day a week. The recycler generously provided hard drives and CD/DVD drives that were used for activations and workshops.
Throughout the residency, audiences were invited to dismantle obsolete devices, exchange reflections, and add components to the installation. The work opened conversations around sustainability, planned obsolescence, technological consumption, rare earth minerals, and collective knowledge.
Two highlights during my stay in Munich were the opportunity to experience the work of James Turrell at DIMU – Diocesan Museum Freising, and to visit the Pinakothek der Moderne, whose architecture I deeply admire, and for which I created a mock-up labyrinth proposal for the rotunda –
Special Guests: I was honoured to welcome a number of artists and colleagues during the residency and exhibition, including Gretta Louw, Tamiko Thiel, Helen Varley Jamieson, Gisela Hellinger, and Eva Ursprung.
Partners & Support – Special thanks to: Curt Wills Foundation, Digital Art Space, DomagkAteliers, WagnisArt, Weißer Rabe soziale Betriebe und Dienste GmbH Recycling, Treibgut München / Material Initiativen (for plinths).
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body,
and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.