Am­bi­ent Pro­pa­gan­da

The Ambient Propaganda exhibition explores the shift from the classic “top-down” understanding of propaganda to a new and more contemporary understanding of propaganda as ambient influence, where ideology is subconsciously incorporated into everyday digital culture. From TikTok trends to political fandoms, the works highlight how the boundaries between self-expression, performance, and ideological reproduction have blurred.

On our algorithmically determined and emotionally immersive platforms, belief and conviction are no longer influenced by direct “top-down” messages, but rather by participation: through memes, aesthetics, and performances by influencers that “feel good.” We are caught in feedback loops that are as emotional as they are informative. Meanwhile, global crises—from pandemics to wars—expose how these digital transformations have direct political, social, and even military consequences.

Artists
Noura Tafeche deconstructs the aesthetics of cuteness and coercion.
Lesia Vasylchenko explores algorithmic flows shaped by war.
Pedro Gossler examines political identity as fandom.
Total Refusal reflects on the subject of digital control.
Marc Tuters empirically traces the dynamics of conspiracy theories.
Paolo Cirio makes visible the hidden dark patterns of influence.
Dana Dawud, Brandon Bandy, and Fantastic Little Splash probe nostalgia, ideological reduction, and information overload.

Curators: Marc Tuters, Lesia Kulchynska & Boris Noordenbos

Image: Noura Tafeche, Annihilation Core Inherited Lore (2025)