On the 30th of January D∀RK, the dark arts research kollective, will be hosting an event at annihilation eve (ad England). Wretched Screens is the collective’s 7th apport, events that they hold that involve a mix of arts, music, video and talk. These are public events, functioning as spaces for the sharing of research and artistic productions. This specific engagement is focused on media in relation to their occulture sympathies and explorations.

The night will feature talks from artist Tom Motley discussing 3d modelling marketplaces and digital intimacy, researcher Matteo Polato discussing Pokémon and the hauntological materiality of retro-gaming, SODA alumni Isa Alsaba on Realism and simulation theory and SODA technician Jake Hatt presenting his videogame projects inspired by witchcraft and cosmic horror. Along with the talks included in the event will be an exhibit of documentation of Real Engine, a collaborative project between game development, magical thinking and psychogeography by Yami Kurae (Matteo Polato and Jacopo Bortolussi),  and Jake Hatt will display his games A Station Beyond and COVENJAM. Following, will be screenings of i luv u (2024), a video artwork by Tom Motley, and a collection of influential online videos that have set precedent for and have defined the aesthetics of contemporary internet culture. All culminating in an in conversation between Motley and SODA PhD researcher Dave Mee on the history of internet culture. 

D∀RK has produced a Zine based on the work from the evening. This will be available for free at the event.