Clouds--without us being aware of it--have an elementary significance
for us. We inscribe our wishes, hopes, and fears into their fleeting,
indeterminate diversity. The artistic "discovery" of the cloud began in
the Middle Ages and intensified in the 19th century, parallel to its
growing importance in the natural sciences and humanities. In the
context of globalisation, virtualisation, and 20th century theory, the
cloud is now developing into a model for describing the complexity of
contemporary conditions. It is becoming a symbol of networked
information architecture, geopolitical relations, and new concepts of
space. The book deals with the phenomenon of the cloud from a
contemporary perspective; it goes much further than the customary cloud
images. Using a variety of media, the contributions range from artistic
translations of the natural motif to the technical infrastructure of the
clouds and their affects. The works presented combine ecological,
socio-political, economic, and technological aspects. The focus is on
exploring the various perceptions, materialities, and functions of the
cloud(s) today.
