Three Decades of Digital Memory
Thirty years is a significant span for digital culture. Founded as an email list in 1996, Rhizome has evolved alongside the internet. It has moved from the early days of dial-up connections to the present era of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The organization functions as a memory institution. It ensures that born-digital art remains accessible even as the underlying software and hardware become obsolete.
Rhizome celebrates its 30th anniversary this autumn with a series of events and technical updates. This milestone is not just a reflection on the past. The organization is relaunching its ArtBase archive to improve discovery and restoration processes. The project aims to secure the legacy of digital works that might otherwise disappear due to browser changes or shifting operating systems.
Relaunching the ArtBase Archive
Central to the anniversary is the overhaul of ArtBase. This public archive contains more than 2,200 born-digital works. Preserving these items is complex. Software breaks when browsers update, and code often loses its utility over time. Rhizome is using a grant from the Mellon Foundation to refine its metadata and design. These improvements provide easier access to restored digital paintings, online publications, and net art.
In addition to technical upgrades, Rhizome is changing how it collects art. The archive will accept a broader range of submissions annually. It seeks to represent more diverse perspectives in its collection. The ArtBase Anthologies program will also feature new restorations. These include digital paintings by Lee Mullican and works sourced from the Walker Art Center.
Exhibitions and Future Initiatives
Rhizome is partnering with ARTXCODE to host a physical exhibition titled Websites Websites Websites! opening on 21st September in New York. The show features creators such as Kim Asendorf, Petra Cortright, and Rafaël Rozendaal. It highlights the website as a site of autonomy. At a time when online life is dominated by corporate social media platforms, this exhibition argues that the independent website remains a vital creative space.
Events continue throughout the autumn. The 30th anniversary benefit takes place on 23rd September at Capitale, honoring Skawennati and Erick Calderon. Later in October, the Net Aesthetics series will explore agentic software at the New Museum. The organization is also launching a City Fellows program to integrate regional voices. Upendra Vaddadi from Bangalore serves as the first appointee.
A Historical Perspective
Looking ahead, the anniversary program concludes on 12th December with an event at the New Museum. It will preview a forthcoming anthology that documents three decades of Rhizome’s internal records. This project gathers debates, community discussions, and personal reflections from the early days of the internet. It functions as an alternative history of the web.
Rhizome began with Mark Tribe facilitating conversations among artists. Today, its mandate is more critical than ever. As digital environments become increasingly consolidated, the effort to preserve independent creative output becomes a form of resistance. The institution remains a primary resource for artists and scholars interested in the intersection of code and culture.