phygital lover, artist, researcher, educator

about

Anan Fries (they/them) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Berlin and Basel who works at the intersection of digital and performing arts. They use immersive technologies to create phygital experiences that offer thought provoking perspectives. They create performances, installations, and video works influenced by Posthuman and Xenofeminist discourse. Their practice explores themes of transformation, reproduction, and the entanglements between "nature" and technology.Research
Anan’s current research areas encompass non-normative representations of pregnant bodies, the future of human reproduction, de-extinction, techno-spirituality, and artificial sexuality. Each of their works is the result of extensive artistic and philosophical research. Collaboration is central to Anan’s practice, as they work within a network of skilled artists and technicians who share their passion for transforming research into immersive experiences. They view sharing their findings through lectures and workshops as a vital aspect of their artistic practice.Invitations
Their VR-essay on posthuman pregnant bodies, [POSTHUMAN WOMBS], was presented at IDFA DocLab Amsterdam, DOK Leipzig, GIFF Geneva, Konsthall C Stockholm and HEK Basel among other places. Fries was awarded the 3rd prize of the VR Art Prize in 2023. Their phygital funeral for an extinct bird, R.I.P. - Resurrect in Peace, was presented at Berlin Art Week 2024. They regularly collaborate with HAU Hebbel am Ufer and Kaserne Basel. In 2025 they are part of Pro Helvetia's East Asia residency program and artist in residence at transmediale.Background
Anan has a background in performing arts. In 2010 they co-founded experimental performance collective machina eX and in 2012 Henrike Iglesias, both of which have toured extensively and internationally. With over a decade of experience they have developed specialized expertise in worldbuilding and immersive performative strategies and the design of narrative spaces. They have worked as a performer, director, designer, writer and producer of their own works since 2010.For more information about Anan's recent works check out the portfolio:

contact

ananfries[at]posteo.net

Anan has delivered lectures on their research at institutions including ZHdK Zürich, IDFA DocLab Amsterdam, and the KINDL Museum in Berlin. In 2023, they designed the educational program for the Digital Air virtual residency of AIR CCI Fabrika, presenting six lectures for residents on topics such as Glitch Feminism, New Materialism, Non-Human Intelligence, Technospirituality, and Digital Disembodiment.In addition to their lectures, Anan has facilitated numerous workshops and enjoys sharing their research and creative tools with others. For inquiries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: ananfries[@]posteo.net

news

New Rituals [for the End of the World] @ HEK (co-curation, group exhibition) 5/26-8/26

TROLL HOUSE @ HAU Hebbel am Ufer (premiere) 22.-25.1.26

Suck My Code @ Exhibit Galerie Wien (group exhibition) 11/25-2/26

REFRESH @ ZHdK (performance, exhibition) 2.-3.10.25

Mind Games @ New Fears Gallery (exhibition) 13.09.25

Virtual Beauty @ Somerset House (group exhibition) 7/25 - 9/25

Digital Art Showcase @ HAU Berlin (performance, exhibition) 15.05.25

residency @ transmediale 5/25 - 7/25

Mystical Machinery @ New Bloom/ Daybreak (lecture) 20.04.25

PURGE @ Tender Alchemy (performance) 01.05.25

residency @ Pro Helvetia, Taipei 2/25 - 5/25

Ecto Bag @ regionale 25 (group exhibition) 11/24 - 1/25

Contested Bodies @ Kindl Berlin (lecture) 23.11.24

NEXT LEVEL Festival @ Dortmunder U (performance & group exhibition) 14.-17.11.24

XR Conference @ DOK Leipzig (panel) 31.10.24

How to build a cult @ zhdk design Kein Kino (talk) 9/24

Berlin Art Week @ HAU Hebbel am Ufer (performance) 9/24

Virtual Beauty @ HEK (group exhibition) 6/24 - 8/24

The New Subject @ Oksasenkatu 11 Helsinki (group exhibition) 4/24

R.I.P. - Redemption @ HAU 4 (online exhibition) 4/24

refresh 5 @ zhdk (group exhibition) 11/23

3rd prize @ VR Art Prize (award) 9/23

Unleashed Utopias @ VR Art Prize (group exhibition) 9/23 - 11/23

Studio Visit @ Berlin Art Link (studio visit) 8/23

Off Stage @ HAU 4 x re:publika (group exhibition) 6/23

The New Subject @ Konsthall C Stockholm (group exhibition) 6/23 - 8/23

Techno-Healing @ MSU Zagreb (group exhibition@blank) 5/23

Will the world ever @ ABA Berlin x Soft Power (talk & exhibition) 9/22

GIFF Unlimited @ Geneva International Filmfestival (film festival, competition) 11/22

Extended Reality: DOK Neuland @ MdBK Leipzig (film festival, group exhibition) 10/22

GIFF Unlimited @ DA-Z Digital Arts Festival Zürich (group exhibition) 10/22

Familia Futura @ riesa efau Dresden (group exhibition) 9/22

Teaser R.I.P. - Resurrect in Peace

Trailer Virtual Wombs

Trailer [Posthuman Wombs]

Artist Talk with Dr. Tina Sauerländer