Zachary Formwalt

Algorithmic Cultures – In this opening episode of Restless Grounds, we dive into the entangled histories of magic, technology, and capital. Our conversation explores how belief systems—from Enlightenment science to tarot, commodity fetishism to algorithmic “intelligence”—shape not only how we relate to technology, but how technologies are designed to relate to us. Host Mariana Fernández Mora is joined by Flavia Dzodan, Zachary Formwalt, and Carlo De Gaetano to think through magical thinking as both a historical foundation for Western science and a critical tool for deconstructing algorithmic systems today.

Algorithmic Cultures – The publication Restless Grounds was presented on 15 May 2025 at the Slow AI Symposium Practices of Thinking, Sensing, and Refusing. Edited by Mariana Fernánadez Mora and with contributions by Flavia Dzodan, Carlo De Gaetano, Zachary Formwalt, Mariana Fernánadez Mora, Nell Donkers, Janine Armin, Dorin Budușan, Sofía Fernández Blanco, Elki Boerdam, Mariana Lanari, Angelo Custódio and Orestis Kollyris.

Algorithmic Cultures – The “Algorithmic Cultures” research group presents: Speculative Gaze: Reading the Algorithmic Image. In this seminar we will engage with the AI-generated image as a site for layered interpretation, inquiry, and cross-referential research. How do we see an image that isn’t solely of human origin? Each month, we will “read” three AI-generated images, analyzing their ambiguity and generative potential by linking them with theories, artworks, literature, film, sound, and more. Through this process, we ask: What networks of meaning arise from images crafted by algorithms? Session Dates are 16 January, 13 February, 13 March and 10 April. All sessions will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm in the Sandberg Auditorium on the 3rd floor of the BC building at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. The seminar is open to everyone; students/alumni of Rietveld/Sandberg and people with an interest in research. Registration for the whole seminar or for individual sessions: eventix.shop/euxdgq4j

Algorithmic Cultures – The “Algorithmic Cultures” research group presents: Speculative Gaze: Reading the Algorithmic Image. In this seminar we will engage with the AI-generated image as a site for layered interpretation, inquiry, and cross-referential research. How do we see an image that isn’t solely of human origin? Each month, we will “read” three AI-generated images, analyzing their ambiguity and generative potential by linking them with theories, artworks, literature, film, sound, and more. Through this process, we ask: What networks of meaning arise from images crafted by algorithms? Session Dates are 16 January, 13 February, 13 March and 10 April. All sessions will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm in the Sandberg Auditorium on the 3rd floor of the BC building at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. The seminar is open to everyone; students/alumni of Rietveld/Sandberg and people with an interest in research. Registration for the whole seminar or for individual sessions: eventix.shop/euxdgq4j

Algorithmic Cultures – The “Algorithmic Cultures” research group presents: Speculative Gaze: Reading the Algorithmic Image. In this seminar we will engage with the AI-generated image as a site for layered interpretation, inquiry, and cross-referential research. How do we see an image that isn’t solely of human origin? Each month, we will “read” three AI-generated images, analyzing their ambiguity and generative potential by linking them with theories, artworks, literature, film, sound, and more. Through this process, we ask: What networks of meaning arise from images crafted by algorithms? Session Dates are 16 January, 13 February, 13 March and 10 April. All sessions will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm in the Sandberg Auditorium on the 3rd floor of the BC building at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. The seminar is open to everyone; students/alumni of Rietveld/Sandberg and people with an interest in research. Registration for the whole seminar or for individual sessions: eventix.shop/euxdgq4j

Algorithmic Cultures – The “Algorithmic Cultures” research group presents: Speculative Gaze: Reading the Algorithmic Image. In this seminar we will engage with the AI-generated image as a site for layered interpretation, inquiry, and cross-referential research. How do we see an image that isn’t solely of human origin? Each month, we will “read” three AI-generated images, analyzing their ambiguity and generative potential by linking them with theories, artworks, literature, film, sound, and more. Through this process, we ask: What networks of meaning arise from images crafted by algorithms? Session Dates are 16 January, 13 February, 13 March and 10 April. All sessions will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm in the Sandberg Auditorium on the 3rd floor of the BC building at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. The seminar is open to everyone; students/alumni of Rietveld/Sandberg and people with an interest in research. Registration for the whole seminar or for individual sessions: eventix.shop/euxdgq4j

Algorithmic Cultures – During the Week on Algorithmic Cultures December 5th - 7th 2023 senior researcher Flavia Dzodan put together a three-day programme at Sandberg Instituut. The programme was an introduction to the research group on Algorithmic Cultures led by Flavia Dzodan, which was previously known as the A.I. research cell.