{"id":5873,"date":"2022-04-08T10:33:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T10:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.zhdk.ch\/immersivearts\/?p=5873"},"modified":"2025-11-17T15:41:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T15:41:40","slug":"exhibition-planet-digital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.zhdk.ch\/immersivearts\/exhibition-planet-digital\/","title":{"rendered":"Kamituga | Digital Gold"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Abstract:
Smartphones, tablets and computers do not work without the rare minerals used in their components and gold is one of these precious minerals. Those devices make use of gold as a chemically stable and exceptional conductor for their electronic circuits. About 7% of global gold is used for these technological purposes. 
Around 80% of the global labor force involved in gold mining is occupied in so-called artisanal or small-scale mining activities. That is a total of 45 million workers (30% women, 70% men) across 60 countries, mainly in the Southern hemisphere. Despite their significant contributions to major global mineral supply chains, artisanal and small-scale miners are some of the world\u2019s most marginalized workers and their contribution to the global economy garners little attention. Artisanal mining activity typically takes place in rural areas without access to proper health infrastructure and lack of government support, such as Kamituga in Eastern Congo (DRC). 
It is estimated that at least 134 million people work in related industries that support artisanal and small-scale mining activities, including small-scale processing, buying and selling, but also restaurants and bars, shops, equipment, and transport facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kamituga | Digital Gold is a cooperation between the Immersive Arts Space and the Department of Geography, University of Zurich.
www.digital-gold.ch<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Planet Digital <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
 Overview of a complete 3D model of an artisanal gold mine in Kamituga based on a 3D scan with a smartphone. <\/strong> 3D scan: Gabriel Kamundala, 3D model: Chris Elivis Leisi, ZHdK \u00a92022<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Planet Digital was a curated cooperation between the University of Zurich and Museum f\u00fcr Gestaltung Z\u00fcrich and made possible by the Digitalization Initiative of the Zurich Higher Education Institutions DIZH and Stiftung Mercator Schweiz.
The exhibition showcased 26 different segments on today`s artistic and scientific state of digitization. The exhibition took place from 11th February to 6th June 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.planetdigital.ch\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KAMITUGA | DIGITAL GOLD allowed the visitors insights behind the shiny surface of the mobile tech industry and invited the visitors to engage with the concrete challenges and living conditions of artisanal gold miners in the region of Kamituga (Democratic Republic of Congo).
The starting point for all digitally-based experiences were the photographs, videos and 3D scans that PhD candidate Gabriel Kamundala recorded in Kamituga in the summer of 2021 using a latest-generation smartphone. In this way, a ubiquitous device, itself containing gold and rare minerals, provided insights into the living conditions of artisanal mine workers and, at the same time, drew attention to the many challenges of the mobile tech industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n