Russia Opens an Exhibition Exploring How Technology Has Transformed the Internet
The new show traces the digital world’s evolution—from the early days of dial-up to today’s algorithmic age, where memes and interfaces shape how we live.
A new exhibition in Krasnoyarsk titled ‘System Error’ invites visitors to reflect on how the internet has evolved under the influence of technology. The show takes audiences on a journey from the raw, communal energy of early online spaces to the sleek, data-driven ecosystems of modern digital life—where memes, notifications, and endless scrolling have become part of everyday existence.
The exhibition is divided into two parts: the ‘living’ and the ‘dead’ internet. Artist Galya Lyubushkina captures nostalgia for the 2000s web while dissecting today’s digital transformation. At the heart of the show are textile collages featuring familiar interfaces and long-forgotten memes—symbols of a time when humor and simplicity defined online culture. Over the years, these once-funny fragments have become cultural fossils of the internet’s past.
QR Codes Instead of Labels
Breaking from tradition, the exhibition features no physical captions. All texts are stored in a digital archive, accessible via QR codes placed throughout the space. Visitors can also leave feedback that becomes part of the evolving installation itself.
‘System Error’ is less about digital nostalgia than about awareness—it challenges viewers to question how technological change reshapes not only the internet but also our perception of reality.
