Ars Electronica Center celebrates 30 years in Linz

The Ars Electronica Center (AEC) in Linz, Austria, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Opened on September 2, 1996, as part of the Austrian Millennium celebrations, the center was established as a 'museum of the future' spanning 2,000 square meters.

Under the ongoing artistic direction of Gerfried Stocker, the center has transitioned from showcasing technologies that once seemed like science fiction—such as early virtual reality and internet-controlled robotics—to hosting innovations that are now commonplace. Notable historical projects include the 'Telegarden' by US artist Ken Goldberg and the Futurelab's presentation of the world's first publicly accessible Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE).