Instead of digitizing "artworks," the rewind.eSeL.at database focuses on the "art event": which exhibitions and programs took place in Vienna’s museums and art scenes or communities? What educational and contextual programs allowed for knowledge transfer and social connections to foster deeper engagement with contemporary art?

The rewind.eSeL.at archive documents the art programs of both established institutions and Vienna’s independent art scenes and communities. It highlights the professionalization and growth of independent artist-run spaces, while also capturing the transformation and expansion of artistic practices and networks in the art field.

The central "event" dataset is enriched with specific relationships and information regarding dates, locations, and participants and institutions within the arts and culture field. In this sense, the "rewind digitizations" are essentially "re-digitizations" of event announcements for art and cultural events that were originally published online as born-digital materials.

With the growing rewind.eSeL.at archive, a valuable foundation is being created for the long-term research and documentation of the art and cultural scene in Vienna and its surroundings. The archive is continuously being expanded and enhanced with new functionalities. Plans include expanding the "Agents Database," which will provide additional information about key players and stakeholders in the art landscape, ranging from individuals to institutions, as well as artist groups and collectives.

Another planned initiative involves processing our extensive photographic documentation of Vienna’s art events, as we also run a photo agency that captures and documents these events. These and other additions will enable a deeper exploration of the diverse relationships, networks, and changes within the art scene, providing a central collection that offers a comprehensive overview of all exhibitions, programs, and initiatives in contemporary art in Vienna.