Patchlab Digital Art Festival is an annual internationally recognised event organised in Krakow since 2012, trying to present the constantly changing impact of technology on society and the environment through art. The event is organized by the Photon Foundation, whose founders – Elwira Wojtunik and Popesz Csaba Láng – are also the initiators of the festival.
The Patchlab festival program focuses every year on the creative potential hidden in machines, algorithms, programming and databases, exploring currently key phenomena in contemporary digital culture and art, including VR (virtual reality) / AR (augmented reality) / XR (mixed reality), artificial intelligence, machine learning, hacking and digital identity.
The Patchlab audience can find in the festival calendar exhibitions, interdisciplinary performances or immersive audiovisual concerts, as well as video screenings, workshops, presentations of the effects of artistic residencies, lectures and discussion panels with the participation of experts.
The Patchlab Festival has been awarded the EFFE Label, a quality mark of the European Festivals Association (EFA) for outstanding artistic festivals, awarded for a unique and innovative approach, for its contribution to the field of art, social engagement and international openness. Additionally, in 2021 it was awarded the Badge of Invention for its exceptional activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patchlab Festival is also a member of the international AVnode platform, which brings together artists and events presenting contemporary audiovisual art supported by the European Union Creative Europe program.
The Patchlab Festival is co-financed by the City of Krakow.
The Chromosphere program presented in 2024 is implemented thanks to funding from the European Union Creative Europe program.
The partners of the 13th edition of the Patchlab festival are: the French Institute in Warsaw, the Italian Cultural Institute in Krakow, the Cervantes Institute in Krakow, the Austrian Cultural Forum in Warsaw, the Krakow Festival Office, the Krakow City Development Agency, Cricoteka, Apteka Designu, the Potocki Palace, Hevre, the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Ars Electronica and Société des arts technologiques [SAT].
