“OV [Operational Process]”: Discover Potsdam between Memory, Media Art, and Visibility

Between Visibility and Camouflage: Art, History, and Digital Memory in Potsdam

On October 26, 2026, Digitalvilla at Hedy-Lamarr-Platz invites you to the showcase and tour “OV [Operational Process]”. This free cultural event combines contemporary media art, historical references to the GDR, and a multi-part tour through the levels of Digitalvilla.

An Artistic Perspective on Political Visibility

The focus is on the video work “OV [Operational Process]” by the artist collective GIANT GLITCHES featuring Michael Betancourt, Ian Keaveny, and Niklas Washausen. The starting point is the expatriation of Wolf Biermann in 1976 and the public protest by artists and intellectuals. Digital portraits of Susanne Kerckhoff, Angelika Domröse, Thomas Brasch, and Christian “Kuno” Kunert merge into a sequence of moving images.

Datamoshing, databending, compression, and AI-supported image operations alter the faces without completely dissolving their recognizability. This creates an intense discovery experience between memory, surveillance, political stance, and the question of what significance visibility holds in a societal context.

Tour through Digitalvilla

The afternoon starts at 4 PM on Level 1 with an introduction to four new artifacts of the project “OV [Operational Process]”. Afterwards, the original video of the collective GIANT GLITCHES will be shown in the beer cellar. At 5 PM, a tour will take you through Digitalvilla to the new works on levels 3 to 0.

On the lowest level, visitors can also expect Thomas Scheffer’s showcase “THE VISIBLE IS NOT THE POSSIBLE”. The architecture of Digitalvilla itself becomes part of the exhibition: The tour connects various rooms, perspectives, and artistic positions into a multi-layered city tour through contemporary art and cultural heritage.

Historical References and Contemporary Media Art

The title “Operational Process” refers to a term from the surveillance and investigative apparatus of the Ministry for State Security. The artistic work engages with the traces of this history without merely illustrating it. The consciously integrated portrait of the writer Susanne Kerckhoff, who died in 1950, creates a historical break and expands the perspective on memory, erasure, and recognizability.

The showcase in Potsdam is aimed at art enthusiasts, history-interested guests, and anyone who wants to explore digital imagery, political history, and social issues together. The visit combines expert introduction, film screening, exhibition tour, and personal encounters with the artworks.

Conclusion: A Free Cultural Event with Depth

The event offers a concentrated insight into current media art and its connection to the local history of Potsdam. Visitors will experience a tour through Digitalvilla, see the original video “OV [Operational Process]”, and discover the showcase “THE VISIBLE IS NOT THE POSSIBLE”. Admission is free, but spaces are limited. Registration with the organizer is recommended.

Official Channels of GIANT GLITCHES:

• Instagram: no official profile found
• Facebook: no official profile found
• YouTube: no official profile found
• TikTok: no official profile found

Sources:

• Brandenburg Cultural and Historical Society – Showcase and Tour “OV [Operational Process]”
• Brandenburg Travel Land – Event Information and Admission Price
• University of Potsdam – Invitation to the Art Project
• Federal Archives – Definition of Operational Process