A young boy interacts with The Debate of Two Children, a speculative interactive installation by XMU student Liu Yiqi. [Photo/Ars Electronica 2026]
Five projects by students from Xiamen University's Institute of Creativity and Innovation (ICI) were showcased at the Ars Electronica Festival 2026 in Linz, Austria, from Sept 9 to 13, as part of its Campus Exhibition. The works, presented under the title "The System Looks Back", explored the evolving relationships between humans, technology, and society through digital media arts.
The exhibition featured works by students in ICI's Digital Media Arts program, spanning robotics, artificial intelligence, interactive installations, narrative games, and animation. The projects examined topics such as algorithmic bias, cultural memory, ecological awareness, and the ethics of emerging technologies.
Ars Electronica Festival 2026, themed "Negotiating Humanity", brought together more than 1,200 participants from 77 countries and regions, with exhibitions and programs held at 40 venues across Linz. As one of the world's leading events connecting art, technology, and society, the festival provided an international platform for emerging artists to exchange ideas with global audiences.
The exhibition highlighted ICI's interdisciplinary approach to digital media arts education, combining technological experimentation, artistic creation, and critical thinking.
