Archium
Exhibition: On Show 2023, IADT
Type: Design Fiction, Editorial
Credits: IADT Dun Laoghaire
Preserving knowledge in a post-crash world
Archium, founded after the Global Knowledge Crash of 2038 (GKC), is dedicated to preserving authentic human knowledge in a world shaken by deep fakes, fake news, and failing verification systems.
One of Archiums key initiatives is an annual publication, a physical artefact that documents current knowledge through public submissions and includes "The Vault," where readers contribute their own materials to return to Archium, forming a participatory archive.
The physical submissions from readers become "time capsules," preserved in Archium's central repository. These artefacts, ranging from letters to photos, offer a glimpse into personal and collective history, providing future generations with tangible links to the past.
Archium operates as an apolitical, non-profit organization. Its mission is to archive knowledge without bias, ensuring accuracy and authenticity. Funded by a "digital memory tax" on tech superpowers, overseen by The Confederation of Digital Preservation, Archium remains independent and true to its mission.
Archium aims to rebuild trust in knowledge by offering a secure, unbiased platform for preservation. It seeks to counteract the forces that led to the Global Knowledge Crash, envisioning a future where knowledge is once again trusted and responsibly used.
Damnatio Memoriae
This edition of the Archium Annual, titled Damnatio Memoriae: Recalling the Loss of a Global Knowledge Hegemony explores the profound impact of the Global Knowledge Crash of 2038. The ancient Roman practice of "damnatio memoriae" - condemning memory, serves as a powerful metaphor for what humanity experienced during the GKC: a systematic erosion of our collective ability to discern truth from falsehood.
This volume examines how society has adapted in the aftermath of this unprecedented crisis of epistemology, documenting the catastrophic events that unfolded during the Global Knowledge Crash. From the initial waves of synthetic media that overwhelmed verification systems to the collapse of trusted institutions, these pages chronicle the sequence of failures that led to our collective epistemological crisis.
