Julian Oliver is an artist, Critical Engineer and activist from Aotearoa New Zealand.[1][2]. His artistic practice spans tactical media art, and artistic interventions upon network infrastructure with strong techno-political and environmental activism themes. His work has been exhibited internationally since 1996. His lectures have been presented worldwide, including the Tate Modern, Princeton University and the ZKM in Karlsruhe[3]. He is a recipient of the Golden Nica at Prix Ars Electronica, 2011, and several other awards.

Awards

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  • Honorary Mention, Starts Prize, Ars Electronica, 2019
  • Golden Nica (1st prize) Interactive Arts category, Prix Ars Electronica, 2011
  • Second Prize, Share Festival, 2011
  • Excellence Prize (2nd prize) Art category, Japan Media Art Festival 2011
  • Third Prize, Fundacion Telefonica, VIDA 13.0 Art and Artifical Life awards. 2011
  • Award of Distinction (2nd prize) Hybrid Arts category, Prix Ars Electronica, 2010
  • First Prize, Jeux Vidéo et Attractions, Laval Virtual, 2008
  • Technical Innovation award, Indiecade 2008
  • The New Zealand Open Source Award, 2008
  • Honorary Mention (Interactive Arts category), Prix Ars Electronica 2008
  • Jury Reccommended Work (Entertainment Division), Japan Media Arts Festival 2008
  • Honorary Mention, Transmediale 2004

Notable art works

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Newstweek, 2011, (with Danja Vasiliev) - a network intervention and platform for modifying news read on wireless hotspots[4]

Transparency Grenade, 2011 - a network intervention device exploring tensions around data leaks[5]

Pink Cell Tower 2021 - a bright pink fully functional open source cell tower free for public use running on solar energy[6]

Asunder (with Brain and Sjölén) - a supercomputer employed as an 'environmental manager' to solve planetary boundary crises[7] Stealth Cell Tower - an intervention upon mobile communications in the form of a regular office printer[8]

The Extinction Gong (with Vu) - a ceremonial automaton for the Sixth Mass Extinction, in the form of a large computer controlled Chao gong[9]

Activism

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Julian Oliver has donated much of his time to providing infrastructure, information and operations security support for environmental and human rights activists and movements, including Extinction Rebellion and frontline activists in operationally hostile environments[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Artist website".
  2. ^ "Critical Engineering Manifesto".
  3. ^ "List of exhibitions, workshops and lectures by Oliver since 1996".
  4. ^ "Newstweek website".
  5. ^ "Transparency Grenade website".
  6. ^ "Pink Cell Tower website". November 2021.
  7. ^ "Asunder Website".
  8. ^ "Stealth Cell Tower website". May 2015.
  9. ^ "Extinction Gong website".
  10. ^ "Chaos Communication Congress hosted video of Oliver keynote 'Server Infrastructure for Global Rebellion'". 28 December 2019.