Copenhagen’s CPH:DOX Unveils ‘Hypervigilance’ Exhibition Addressing Systemic Racism, AI Bias, and Global Crises

The Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX) has launched its Inter:Active Exhibition at Kunsthal Charlottenborg, inviting audiences to engage with creativity at the intersection of technology. This year’s theme, “Hypervigilance,” reflects the current climate of digital saturation, global unrest, and escalating authoritarianism.

A Space for Curiosity and Exploration

The exhibition features a diverse array of immersive experiences, educational games, and virtual reality offerings that challenge traditional definitions of film and television. Mark Atkin, the curator of CPH:DOX Inter:Active and head of studies at CPH:LAB, emphasized that the works presented reveal the collective anxiety of a society on high alert. He noted that marginalized communities, including queer, disabled, and displaced individuals, often experience a heightened state of vigilance as a survival instinct in a world rife with scrutiny and exclusion.

Atkin articulated the urgency of this theme, stating that the exhibition aims to address the pressures faced by these communities and to reclaim agency through activism and self-expression. The 23rd edition of CPH:DOX will run until Sunday.

Curatorial Approach and Focus on Marginalized Voices

Atkin explained that the curation process involves extensive viewing of works, discussions with artists, and submissions from various programs, including CPH:LAB. He highlighted that his approach to curating differs from traditional film programming, likening it more to an art exhibition. This year’s theme of hypervigilance was chosen to reflect the current concerns of artists.

The curator expressed a particular interest in stories from marginalized groups, acknowledging their significant contributions to the documentary genre. He noted that while these groups have historically been hypervigilant, this mindset appears to be spreading across society. Atkin pointed out that many feel manipulated by unseen forces, a sentiment that resonates globally amid ongoing conflicts.

The Tone of the Exhibition

The tone of the works featured in the Inter:Active exhibition is described as dark, yet imbued with elements of resistance and rebellion. Atkin remarked that this rebellion manifests through artistic creation, sexual liberation, and activism. He hopes that the multisensory nature of the works will encourage viewers to engage more actively rather than remaining passive observers.

Highlights of the Inter:Active Works

The exhibition showcases a variety of compelling projects, each addressing critical social issues:

• Brains in the State of Suspension by Kakia Konstantinaki: This live performance horror film explores themes of disembodied intelligence and control, questioning the essence of consciousness detached from physical form.
• Coded Black by Maisha Wester: This social justice game delves into systemic racism in the U.S. and U.K., revealing narratives of racial injustice and resilience through immersive storytelling.
• Dark Rooms by Mads Damsbo and Laurits Flensted-Jensen: This project invites participants to explore intimate stories of sexual awakening, challenging societal taboos and encouraging personal liberation.
• Inside: The Childhood of an Artist by Sacha Wares: This multisensory biography transports audiences to pivotal moments in the life of artist Judith Scott, highlighting themes of love and separation.
• My Tent Is Not a Shelter by Mohamed Jabaly: A fragile tent made from the artist’s own clothes serves as a haunting memorial for Gaza, symbolizing resilience amid destruction.
• No Place at Home by Sam Wolson and Lilli Carré: This project chronicles the journey of a mother and her trans teen who leave the U.S. due to restrictive gender-affirming care policies.
• The Sanctuary of Dreams by Pierre-Christophe Gam: This immersive film and installation invites audiences to participate in a collective future-dreaming ritual, exploring new social and cultural realities.
• Celestis Obscura by Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm: This work examines the parallels between the Gold Rush and the modern space race, questioning the power dynamics of resource exploitation.
• In the Current of Being by Cameron Kostopoulos: A haptic VR experience that recounts the harrowing journey of a survivor of electroshock conversion therapy.
• Tales of a Nomadic City by Med Lemine Rajel and Christian Vium: This VR experience, developed with local youth and artists, portrays the complex history of Nouakchott, Mauritania.
• The Pledge by Daniela Nedovescu and Octavian Mot: An interactive installation that transforms encounters with AI bias into a collective digital monument.
• The Lost Golden Lotus by Chisato Minamimura: This installation reimagines China’s foot-binding legacy through multisensory art, connecting historical beauty ideals to contemporary body standards.
• Burden of Other People’s Dreams: Chapter One – Ganymede by Joe Bini: A live cinema experience that blends elements of memoir and imagination, inviting participants to engage with the narrative on a personal level.

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Published on 2026-03-19 12:30:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk