ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie

The Gernsback Prophecy. Father of Science Fiction

20 Jul 2013 - 02 Mar 2014

Hugo Gernsback, “Radio-Craft“, Experimenter Publishing Company, New York, Vol. 6, No. 8, February 1935

© Collection James and Felicia Kreuzer, Grand Island, New York, USA
Illustration template for Hugo Gernsback, “1965 forecast“ Christmas 1964

© Collection James and Felicia Kreuzer, Grand Island, New York, USA
Illustration template for Hugo Gernsback, “1963 forecast“ Christmas 1962

© Collection James and Felicia Kreuzer, Grand Island, New York, USA
Hugo Gernsback, “Amazing Stories Quarterly“, Experimenter Publishing Company, New York Winter 1928

© Collection James and Felicia Kreuzer, Grand Island, New York, USA
Interior illustration from: Hugo Gernsback, “Amazing Stories Quarterly“, Experimenter Publishing Company, New York Winter 1928

© Collection James and Felicia Kreuzer, Grand Island, New York, USA
Hugo Gernsback, “Amazing Stories Quarterly“, Experimenter Publishing Company, New York Spring 1928

© Collection James and Felicia Kreuzer, Grand Island, New York, USA
Hugo Gernsback, „Modern Electrics: Tesla Number“, Modern Electrics Publication, New York Vol. 1, No. 6, September 1908

© Collection James and Felicia Kreuzer, Grand Island, New York, USA
An exhibition at the ZKM | Museum of Contemporary Art
Opening: Fri, July 19, 2013, 7 p.m., ZKM_Foyer

For the first time in Germany, the work of Hugo Gernsback, the "Father of Science Fiction" will be documented: Born in Luxemburg, Gernsback (1884–1967), whose family comes from Baden, Germany, and who received his technical training in Bingen, left for the United States in 1904. There he founded the modern genre of science fiction literature with the publication of such magazines as "Amazing Stories" (1926–1929) and "Wonder Stories" (1929–1936). As one of its most significant founders, Gernsback gave valuable impulses for technologically innovative and experimental works and influenced an interested youth to make new inventions.
The title "The Gernsback Prophecy" refers to his many prophecies of the future creation and use of solar energy plants, flat-screen televisions, and the wireless telegraph.
The "Hugo Award", which each year recognizes the works of science fiction literature, is named after Hugo Gernsback, who − as a visionary − made a decisive contribution to popularizing electronic culture in the U.S. As an editor and author of numerous science fiction magazines and a wealth of magazines and books, written for a general audience, on topics such as radio, television, (household-)electronics, biotechnology, the conquering of space, automation and telematics, Gernsback was able to communicate his excitement and knowledge to a broad readership.

Curators: Franz Pichler and Peter Weibel
 

Tags: Peter Weibel