The messaging platform “Telegram” was created to circumvent censorship and repression by the Russian authorities. Its nested corporate structure, decentralised server network, and strong encryption made it possible to evade state intervention and prevent arbitrary surveillance.

By promising not to moderate content in any way, the short messaging service has since become the social network and news portal of choice for conspiracy and fringe groups which are connected through private or public group-chats and news channels.

The inner workings of these networks are commonly referred to as “echo-chambers” in order to illustrate the consolidation of alternative worldviews. While this schema may be helpful to explain radicalisation processes from a subjective point of view, it is insufficient in describing an entire universe of influencers, activists, politicians, alternative media channels and their interconnections.

The installation “Echosystem” attempts to explore the dynamics and structure of these networks. A programme analyses language and content of public channels. By tracking sources from shared posts, a hidden digital ecosystem is revealed.

These hidden network structures are installed as a planetary sky. Individual channels are represented by cut-outs in the form of stars. A universe is created through scaling, placement and interconnections. A single echo chamber turns into an echo system.