The exhibition Latent Spaces brings together new works by Eske Schlüters and Ekaterina Shapiro-Obermair, developed during their fellowships at the VALIE EXPORT Center Linz. The title refers to a concept from machine learning: condensed, multidimensional spaces in which complex data is reduced to essential features in order to identify patterns, group content and generate new data.

The two artists approach this concept from different directions. Eske Schlüters engages with philosophical questions concerning the history and present of artificial intelligence and the relationship between humans and machines. In her essay film, Ekaterina Shapiro-Obermair explores memory and ideology, and how socio-political conflicts manifest themselves around a Soviet war memorial in Ukraine.

Both works consider what remains visible of history when it is repeatedly reread, reassembled and reappropriated. In the exhibition space, different forms of perception and meaning-making meet, overlap and condense – the space itself becomes a Latent Space.

The exhibition is being realised in collaboration with the VALIE EXPORT Center Linz.

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Eske Schlüters

‍Ekaterina Shapiro-Obermair

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On 20 October 2026, two exhibitions will also open at 7 pm at Künstler*innenvereinigung MAERZ → MAERZ