Trevor Paglen, an artist and geographer known for exploring surveillance technology, has been named curator of the third edition of Art Basel's 'Zero 10' digital art initiative, set to debut at Art Basel in Switzerland. He will co-curate the program with digital art strategist Eli Scheinman, featuring twenty exhibitors under the theme 'The Condition,' which examines life saturated by digital media and AI. The presentation will include works such as Hito Steyerl's 'Green Screen' (2023) and pieces by pioneering digital artist Vera Molnar.
The appointment signals Art Basel's deepening commitment to digital art as a cornerstone of its strategy, with CEO Noah Horowitz emphasizing the expanding art market driven by digitally native audiences. By placing a prominent artist-critic of surveillance at the helm, the fair positions 'Zero 10' as a platform for critical inquiry into digital culture, bridging historical and contemporary practices. This move underscores the growing institutional validation of digital and generative art within the traditional art fair ecosystem.