Margarete Jahrmann, is a ludic artist and researcher. As Professor and head of the department Experimental Game Cultures at the University of Applied Arts Vienna she launched in 2024 The Psycholudic Approach: Exploring Play for a Viable future (Austrian Science Fund), building on ideas of Ludic Cultures and Non-human Agencies. In 2023 she published a monograph on Kopfgeld and Other Ludic experiments on the conglomerate of neurosciences and art. In her collaborative and interdisciplinary artistic practice, she developed a LUDIC method of arts and artistic research, explores the human and non- human, cognitive, emotional linked to the ecological, democratic and political challenges. Her artistic focus lies on playable, performative and installation pieces that explore AI and role play, as expressed in the WWTF funded artistic research work ROBOPSY since 2025. She exhibited ludic art pieces internationally, for example at Biennale Habana, Kunsthalle Ulm, re:publica Berlin and AIL Vienna. Her awards include prix ars electronica, transmediale and as overall recognition of her work the 2020 Media Art Prize of the City of Vienna. 2025 she received the Austrian Art Prize for Media Art. "Margarete Jahrmann has dedicated her life to a serious examination of play, or a playful approach to serious topics in digital cultures, technopolitics, critical virtuosity, and virtuality,’ according to the ministry's statement.
Thomas Wagensommerer, Sen.Art., Researcher, Dipl.-Ing. MA., BA., BSc.
Thomas Wagensommerer (*1987). Studies of digital mediatechnology, transdisciplinary art and philosophy (without degree). Works as an exhibiting and performing artist and researcher in the domains of sculpture, installation, sound and computational arts. Current Courses
Clara Hirschmanner, Univ.-Ass., M.A., B.A.
Clara Hirschmanner (*1992) is an interdisciplinary artist, who focuses on the intersection between game design and social design: Focusing on community fostering, exploring elements of care and curiosity as well as telling stories of the everyday. Current Courses
Stefan Maier, Univ.-Ass., Researcher, Dipl.-Ing.
Stefan Maier is a media artist and researcher working in the intersection of sound, AI, and spatial media. His practice investigates how technological systems shape perception and interaction, combining experimental interfaces, installations, and research-driven artistic methods.
Louise Linsenbolz, Admin Support, Researcher, BSc.
Louise Linsenbolz is a Vienna-based media artist who explores a diverse range of media, from video and photography to sound design and digital and spatial forms. In addition to her artistic practice, she is part of the curatorial team for the "Animation Avantgarde" section at Vienna Shorts.
Lecturers
Thomas Brandstetter, Univ.-Lekt., Researcher, Mag. Dr.
Thomas Brandstetter (*1975) worked in the fields of philosophy, history of science and technology and cultural studies. Nowadays, he mainly thinks about games and sometimes makes games with a focus on critically investigating real-world systems. Current Courses
Georg Luif, Univ.-Lekt. Researcher, Mag.art. MFA
Georg luif (* 1991 ) is a game developer with a focus on technology, physical devices and artificial intelligence. Master's degree in Interactive Media & Games (University of Southern California). Current Courses
Max Moswitzer, Univ.-Lekt., Researcher
Max Moswitzer is a multimedia artist whose practice includes virtual worlds, video works, and metaverse culture. He has exhibited at ZKM Karlsruhe, Transmediale Berlin, and Kunsthalle Wien, and collaborated with Chris Marker (Ouvroir), Roy Ascott (LPDT2), and Margarete Jahrmann on experimental media projects. Formerly part of the artist group You Never Know. Current Courses
Jogi Neufeld, Univ.-Lekt.
Jogi Neufeld is the founder of SUBOTRON, the platform for digital game culture in Vienna est. 2004. He organizes event series on the theory and practice of games, curates content for institutions, teaches game history and economy and is game director of an indie studio. Current Courses
Maxim Shchapov, Univ.-Lekt., M.A, B.A.
Maxim Shchapov (1994) is an artist and designer. He makes and studies games with a focus on narrative and storytelling aspects. Current Courses
Anna Balázs-Csiki Vincent Behrens Noah Destrée Vitar Drinković Aziz Duque Alexandra Gašparovičová Martin Gius Alexander Hackl Mert Hadimlioğlu Adrian Haim Yuer Han Tamás Hegyi Navid Javan Shojamofrad Lalehan Kahyaoğlu Chiara Kanya Pal Klusacek Sebastian Konzett Evgeniia Kozlova Martin Krammer Magdalena Leutenbauer Zhengxin Li Litto Stefan Maier Tobias Mitterdorfer Vladimir Nadein Masao Ono Nicolas Pakai Laura Pega Eperke Remetei-Filep Michael Schitnig Malcom Schmidt Camilla Smolders Sophia Stögerer Boie Thomsen Lea van Hall Miro Wallner
Alumni
Johanna Arco Antonie Bernadova Wassily Bartuska Aliya Davletova Gökçe Göbüt Klimentina Hristova Ivan Jakarić Marlene Mautner Jakob Sam Janine Scheer-Erb Sebastian Scholz Maxim Shchapov Catherine Spet En Su Nikola Supuković Bernhard Staudinger
