Where There Are Computers, There is Life: On Error, Opportunity and Chance

The 13th edition of the International Festival of Computer Arts (IFCA) explores the themes of error, chance, and possibility within the framework of art and technology. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into every aspect of life, the term "computer art" is revealed to be outdated, as all artistic practices now inevitably involve the use of computers. This ubiquity of technology has led to the normalization of what was once considered new media, rendering it both banal and stripped of its potential for paradigm shifts. The festival examines how error and chance, as opposites of necessity and perfection, can unlock new possibilities, offering a critique of a society driven by predictability and technological perfectionism. In this context, the festival invites reflection on how these elements—error, possibility, and chance—might challenge the status quo, promoting a more participatory and equal society, even as it acknowledges the contemporary tensions of our automated, digitalized world.