Meet Reset! Helsinki – Reclaiming the Digital 19 October 2026
Reclaiming the Digital, organised by Pixelache, Aavistus Festival, Culture Cooperative TIcAS and the Reset! network on 19.10.2026 at Oranssi (Kaasutehtaakatu 1/20) in Helsinki, invites artists, cultural practitioners, and experts to explore alternatives and practical pathways towards greater digital autonomy. Participation is free of charge but requires registration via link in our bio.
For the past years we have been witnessing an increase of private companies’ intrusion with data privacy, governmental surveillance, bot farms and fake news to mess with public discourse and many other manifestations that despite being in the digital realm, are affecting life. A misuse of data, AI, and media information, have the potential to affect access to information and other resources, social equality and even in some cases they can put democracy as we know it in danger.
All this zeitgeist is happening at the same time -or because- of the climate crisis.
How can cultural practitioners gain greater agency over the technologies and infrastructures they use? What alternatives already exist, and what can we build and influence collectively? How can we distribute and share resources surpassing centralized infrastructures that polarize discourses or focus only on economical growth? Can ethical digital tools help generate solidarity networks, outside the logics of mainstream and private companies?
Programme
9.30-10.00 Morning coffee
10.00-10.15 Welcoming words and introduction
Reset! Network & Pixelache
10.15-11.15 Panel discussion: Towards greater digital independence in artistic production
The panel examines practical pathways toward greater independence in artistic production and cultural work. Moderator: Nitin Sawhney, Docent in Computer Science at University of Helsinki and Uniarts Helsinki; panelists: Luka Piscorec, Vertti Luostarinen, Iina Taijonlahti, Lauri Lavanti.
11.15-12.00 Artist talk: Zombie in Panopticon: Aestheticization of the EU’s External Electronic Border Surveillance Systems
Artist and Aavistus Festival Head of Design Jassir Kuronen presents an artistic research project examining the EU’s electronic external border surveillance systems through visual communication and critical design.
12.00-13.00 Lunch break
13.00-15.00 Workshop: How to Break Free from Surveillance Capitalism by Kohti digitaalista vapautta (Toward Digital Freedom) working group
A practical introduction to alternatives to dominant digital platforms and tools, with guidance for participants interested in adopting more ethical, privacy-conscious and open-source services.
13.00-15.00 Panel discussion & workshop: Data Ownership and EU Legislation for Creative Practitioners
A discussion with representatives of Traficom, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Finnish cultural sector on EU data and AI legislation, its implications for cultural practitioners, and possibilities for influence and action. The discussion is followed by a hands-on co-creation workshop.
15.00-15.30 Coffee break
15.30-16.30 Reset! Network presentation & Q&A
16.30-17.30 Networking
17.30-19.30 Afterparty by Aavistus Festival
The event is organised by Pixelache, Aavistus Festival, Culture Cooperative TIcAS and the Reset! network.
Supported by Reset! network – European network of independent cultural and media organisations, created in 2022 in Lyon, France. Reset! network exists and works to connect independent cultural and media organisations together, document our situation across Europe and beyond, equip its members with knowledge and practical tool, as well as to advocate for independence to be recognised as a core value in the cultural and media sectors.
When: 19 October 2026, 9.30-19.30
Where: Oranssi ry, Kaasutehtaankatu 1 / 20, Kulttuurikeskus 1. Krs
Participation is free of charge but requires registration REGISTER
Graphics: Antti Hietaniemi
