AREA[404] represents a gathering of creatives, developers, and thinkers united in reimagining our relationship with digital platforms and technologies. Throughout each three - to four-hour session, participants engage in critical dialogue about the intersection of technology with art, social justice, and everyday life.
These collaborative engagements aim to create a space where dominant technological narratives can be questioned, deconstructed, and rebuilt with greater emphasis on human agency and collective well-being.
AREA[404] sessions blend theoretical discussion with practical exploration, creating temporary autonomous zones where ideas can emerge from interdisciplinary exchange. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we aim to make visible the often invisible structures of digital power that shape contemporary existence. These gatherings critically examine how digital platforms and algorithms increasingly shape social norms, economic relationships, and personal autonomy.
AREA[404] round table N4
"Silver Lining. Legal Frameworks for Public Action"
26th NOVEMBER | 19.00 - 22.00 | 4lthangrund, Ausgasse, 1090
Building on the foundation of practical digital sovereignty, this fourth round table asks: how do we scale personal action into systemic change? This session launches our "Silver Lining" presentation series, dedicated to spotlighting the powerful tools of public action and legal frameworks that are actively reclaiming our digital rights.
We will analyze recent breakthroughs where user pressure and legal challenges forced tech giants to alter their policies. The discussion will then turn to key European laws and the organizations, from the 'Fight Chat Control' initiative to the Pirate Party and Der Verbraucherschutzverein (VSV), wielding them to protect data sovereignty.
The event concludes with a short, practical workshop where we will collaboratively work through the steps of contributing to a real legal action, transforming legal advocacy into a tangible skill.
Join us to discover how your voice and action, channeled through collective strategy, become an undeniable force for a more just digital future.
___
AREA[404] round table N3
"Infrastructures of Autonomy: Servers, Sovereignty, and Collective Action"
29th OCTOBER | 19:00-22:00 | school - Grüngasse 22, 1050
This third round table moves our dialogue on digital autonomy into the realm of practical creation. How do we transition from critiquing cloud dependence to establishing true data sovereignty? We will demystify the "cloud" by exploring local servers—the physical foundation for a self-controlled digital life. This workshop provides a guided, collaborative introduction to server basics and the initial steps of installation, transforming a critical concept into a tangible skill.
The workshop will be led by Onur Olgaç, a lecturer and curriculum curator at Die Angewandte, Vienna and Kunstuniversität Linz. His focus shifted toward human perception and decision-making processes in interaction design, as well as the politics surrounding technology within artistic contexts. He is actively working against constantly evolving, oppressive digital trends both in his artistic practice as well as his teaching series “Digital Sovereignty” that aims for the emancipation of the end user.
In the following discussion, we'll examine recent, real-world cases where significant public and worker pressure has successfully forced major shifts in corporate policy and product design. Analyzing these examples reveals a clear and growing trend: collective action is actively reshaping the power dynamics of the tech industry, offering a necessary glimpse of hope.
Join us to bridge personal action with systematic change. This roundtable is for anyone interested in the foundational knowledge necessary to reclaim your digital ground and discuss how individual steps contribute to a more resilient, community-powered technological future.
___
AREA[404] round table N2
"The Collective Exit: A De-Google Workshop"
29th SEPTEMBER | 19.00 - 22.00 | Medienwerkstadtt, Neubaugasse 40a, 1070
When silence is a $45 million contract and your digital life is woven into the platforms that enable such political decisions, how do we respond? AREA[404] invites you to “Time to De‑Google Yourself,” a workshop where we’ll interrogate how Big Tech’s power shapes reality and move from critical dialogue to collective action. We’ll explore practical tools to reclaim our digital autonomy and build collective strategies for a more resilient, community-powered approach to technology.
“De-Google-ing” is not about retreating from technology. It means choosing tools that respect privacy, transparency, and autonomy. This workshop will explore:
- What “De‑Google-ing” means and why it matters.
- Practical tools to replace Google services in daily life.
- Collective strategies to reduce dependency and enhance data safety.
- Peer knowledge exchanges for resistance and recovery.
Join us to deconstruct the dominant narrative and rebuild our everyday life.
___
AREA[404] round table N1
LAUNCH EVENT - INTRODUCTION
24 JUNE | 17:00-20:00 | Semmelweisklinik (Hybridraum) - Hockegasse 37, 1180
Through collaborative group exercises, we’ll dissect digital power structures and strategize community-driven events for public tech literacy.
No expertise needed, just registration on human@area404.net
___
human@area404.net | hello@klimentinali.com | work@brooklynpakathi.com
AREA[404] round table N4
"Silver Lining. Legal Frameworks for Public Action"
26th NOVEMBER | 19.00 - 22.00 | 4lthangrund, Ausgasse, 1090
Building on the foundation of practical digital sovereignty, this fourth round table asks: how do we scale personal action into systemic change? This session launches our "Silver Lining" presentation series, dedicated to spotlighting the powerful tools of public action and legal frameworks that are actively reclaiming our digital rights.
We will analyze recent breakthroughs where user pressure and legal challenges forced tech giants to alter their policies. The discussion will then turn to key European laws and the organizations, from the 'Fight Chat Control' initiative to the Pirate Party and Der Verbraucherschutzverein (VSV), wielding them to protect data sovereignty.
The event concludes with a short, practical workshop where we will collaboratively work through the steps of contributing to a real legal action, transforming legal advocacy into a tangible skill.
Join us to discover how your voice and action, channeled through collective strategy, become an undeniable force for a more just digital future.
___
AREA[404] round table N3
"Infrastructures of Autonomy: Servers, Sovereignty, and Collective Action"
29th OCTOBER | 19:00-22:00 | school - Grüngasse 22, 1050
This third round table moves our dialogue on digital autonomy into the realm of practical creation. How do we transition from critiquing cloud dependence to establishing true data sovereignty? We will demystify the "cloud" by exploring local servers—the physical foundation for a self-controlled digital life. This workshop provides a guided, collaborative introduction to server basics and the initial steps of installation, transforming a critical concept into a tangible skill.
The workshop will be led by Onur Olgaç, a lecturer and curriculum curator at Die Angewandte, Vienna and Kunstuniversität Linz. His focus shifted toward human perception and decision-making processes in interaction design, as well as the politics surrounding technology within artistic contexts. He is actively working against constantly evolving, oppressive digital trends both in his artistic practice as well as his teaching series “Digital Sovereignty” that aims for the emancipation of the end user.
In the following discussion, we'll examine recent, real-world cases where significant public and worker pressure has successfully forced major shifts in corporate policy and product design. Analyzing these examples reveals a clear and growing trend: collective action is actively reshaping the power dynamics of the tech industry, offering a necessary glimpse of hope.
Join us to bridge personal action with systematic change. This roundtable is for anyone interested in the foundational knowledge necessary to reclaim your digital ground and discuss how individual steps contribute to a more resilient, community-powered technological future.
___
AREA[404] round table N2
"The Collective Exit: A De-Google Workshop"
29th SEPTEMBER | 19.00 - 22.00 | Medienwerkstadtt
Neubaugasse 40a, 1070
When silence is a $45 million contract and your digital life is woven into the platforms that enable such political decisions, how do we respond? AREA[404] invites you to “Time to De‑Google Yourself,” a workshop where we’ll interrogate how Big Tech’s power shapes reality and move from critical dialogue to collective action. We’ll explore practical tools to reclaim our digital autonomy and build collective strategies for a more resilient, community-powered approach to technology.
“De-Google-ing” is not about retreating from technology. It means choosing tools that respect privacy, transparency, and autonomy. This workshop will explore:
- What “De‑Google-ing” means and why it matters.
- Practical tools to replace Google services in daily life.
- Collective strategies to reduce dependency and enhance data safety.
- Peer knowledge exchanges for resistance and recovery.
Join us to deconstruct the dominant narrative and rebuild our everyday life.
___
AREA[404] round table N1
LAUNCH EVENT - INTRODUCTION
24 JUNE | 17:00-20:00 | Semmelweisklinik (Hybridraum)
Hockegasse 37, 1180
Through collaborative group exercises, we’ll dissect digital power structures and strategize community-driven events for public tech literacy.
No expertise needed, just registration on human@area404.net
___
AREA[404] represents a gathering of creatives, developers, and thinkers united in reimagining our relationship with digital platforms and technologies. Throughout each three - to four-hour session, participants engage in critical dialogue about the intersection of technology with art, social justice, and everyday life.
These collaborative engagements aim to create a space where dominant technological narratives can be questioned, deconstructed, and rebuilt with greater emphasis on human agency and collective well-being.
AREA[404] sessions blend theoretical discussion with practical exploration, creating temporary autonomous zones where ideas can emerge from interdisciplinary exchange. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we aim to make visible the often invisible structures of digital power that shape contemporary existence. These gatherings critically examine how digital platforms and algorithms increasingly shape social norms, economic relationships, and personal autonomy.
