The cultural perception and representation of artificial snow

Today, winter sports no longer work without artificial snow. Over the years, its production has been steadily expanded and integrated into increasingly complex and digital connected systems. At the same time, there has been an increase in the number of ecological questions as to whether snowmaking systems can really provide a long-term answer to winters with little snow. Such cryopolitical conflicts and the related question of how artificial snow is socially received are also reflected in cultural artifacts, such as literature. The research project examines such sources with a cultural-analytical and literary-scientific background: The project is interested in the changes and continuities in the cultural representation and perception of artificial snow since the 1970s. In addition to literature in its broader sense, for example novels, essays or digitally published contemporary literature, material such as photos, film, VR productions, games, new and old advertising brochures or posters serve as sources.