Wired

Speculating about the future is inevitable – peering into its murky depths and imagining what could be. This sense of speculation is at the core of Erik Schnack and Madryn Cosburn’s work. Their vision is a cybernetic future, one where technology permeates both the intellectual and physical realms to such an extent that the boundary between human and machine dissolves.

Yet, within their work, there remains a deep commitment to the human act of making – both through handcrafting and programming. Wired embraces this paradox, projecting itself into an unknown future while remaining grounded in the lived experiences of its creators and audience. These interactions, though speculative, remain distinctly Namibian, rooted in the present moment.

In the developing world, resourcefulness often leads the way in recycling and upcycling – born of necessity, but also out of a conscious effort to preserve natural resources. While futuristic materials are often imagined as sleek, polished, and expensive, Wired presents an alternative vision—one where sustainability and technological innovation coexist. Rather than relying on inaccessible resources, the future depicted in these artworks is an offering: a vision of an attainable, self-sustained future, built by our own hands.

Helen Harris & Gina Figueira
StArt Art Gallery