Hito Steyerl: Broken Windows City

Hito Steyerl, a German artist, filmmaker, and theorist born in 1966, has emerged as one of the most influential cultural figures of our time. Her extensive publications, including essays that have achieved "instant classic" status, such as "In Defense of the Poor Image," and books like The Wretched of the Screen and Duty Free Art, have cemented her place in art-world discourse.

Despite her significant influence, Steyerl's art has not received the monographic treatment until now. The City of Broken Windows, published to accompany a new work of the same name at Castello di Rivoli, documents Steyerl's installation exploring the process of teaching artificial intelligence to recognize the sound of breaking windows. Using screens, windows, crystals, and sound, Steyerl's work investigates how AI affects the urban environment.

The book features new essays by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Marianna Vecellio, Griselda Pollock, and the artist herself, alongside images and a chronology of Steyerl's exhibitions and lectures. Additionally, the book includes an anthology of essays and interviews from 1998 to the present, providing a comprehensive overview of Steyerl's artistic and theoretical output.

Steyerl's emergence as a cultural figure of great significance is a testament to the depth and breadth of her work. Her ability to engage with complex social, political, and technological issues through her art and writing has earned her widespread acclaim and recognition. The publication of The City of Broken Windows serves as a timely and important exploration of Steyerl's practice, offering readers a deeper understanding of her influential contributions to contemporary art and discourse.

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