A reconstruction of the Leestafel voor Oude en Nieuwe Media (1996) (The Reading Table for Old and New Media) will be featured in the exhibition 'Choose Your Filter! Browser Art since the Beginnings of the World Wide Web' which will take place at the ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany. The exhibition will run from February 1st until August 24th, 2025. The reconstruction of the Leestafel has been made possible with the support of DutchCulture and ZKM.
The Leestafel voor Oude en Nieuwe Media
The Leestafel voor Oude en Nieuwe Media dates from 1996 and consisted of a classic reading table that discreetly integrated four computer displays, showing a specially designed interface for Internet access. Guests of the café and restaurant 'In de Waag' could read newspapers and magazines at the table, but could also access the Internet, electronic mail, newsgroups and telnet through the Reading Table.
The Reading Table had an interface that was meant to be easily accessible for people who were not yet familiar with internet technology. This interface guided the users by means of moving images through the different internet applications. Underneath the table, two mini computers screens were available for children, who could play a selection of electronic stories and games.
The Reading Table was in fact the first of a series of multimedia tables that Waag later produced and was in service for a number of years. The table won the Rotterdam Design prize in 1997.
Exhibition 'Choose Your Filter!' at ZKM
A reconstruction of the Leestafel will feature in ZKM’s 'Choose Your Filter!' exhibition, reintroducing its exploration of human-computer interaction, access to digital knowledge, and the role of design in shaping media relationships. With support from DutchCulture and ZKM, Waag embarks on a research and reconstruction project to preserve and present this important media heritage.
To mark Waag's 30th anniversary, this initiative builds bridges between past and future technologies, fostering lasting collaborations in the European heritage sector. The Leestafel is a recognised design and part of a broader trajectory to make technology accessible, open, and inclusive.
The exhibition Choose your Filter! Browser Art since the Beginnings of the World Wide Web looks at 30 years of the development of alternative browsers. It is especially interested in artistic takes on how the internet can be accessed. The exhibition demonstrates that the Internet can actually have many different faces, depending on concept, functionality, technical sophistication, and aesthetic choice. By showcasing different artistic interpretations of the browser one can not only see what is emphasized, but also what remains hidden.
This production has been made possible with support from DutchCulture.
