03 May Exhibition + Performance

Location and Working Hours

MODA, 42 Rue du Futur, 75013 Paris Open daily 08:00-18:00 "Monday Closed"

Curators

Toms Amstrong, Michel du Bois, Alanna Mercado

Exibition design

Burrell-Saward and Charlie Bruce

Partners

Bambu Lab, Open Source Hardware Foundation

Buy tickets

Tickets & Admission

07. Mar 02. Jun. 2025 15am

Cipherling Decoded – A Futuristic Tech Exhibition

Art Exhibition

The Museum of Digital Arts (MODA) is currently hosting a groundbreaking exhibition until November 30th, showcasing the Cipherling, a 3D-printed robotic receiver designed to crack coded messages. Created by the collective NET ELLA, this hybrid object blurs the lines between technological sculpture and secret communication tool, captivating visitors with its functional design and eco-conscious approach. The device features a vibrant two-tone shell (Lincolnshire Poacher: white and orange), sturdy metal legs with rubber feet, and a minimalist interface, embodying a futuristic vision where art becomes an interactive medium. Visitors can twist its side dial to modulate audio streams, while its deliberate lack of a shortwave receiver—relying solely on Wi-Fi—comments on our hyperconnected era. What makes the Cipherling truly remarkable is its ability to transform complex encryption into tangible, audible experiences, inviting users to ponder the invisible systems shaping our digital lives.

Beneath its sleek exterior lies a philosophy of open-source sustainability. The Cipherling is held together entirely by screws—no glue or permanent adhesives—allowing for easy disassembly and recycling. Its shell and amplifying cone are precision-printed using Bambu Lab X1 Carbon FDM machines, while its custom ESP32 mainboard powers a color display, pulsating green LED, and audio amplifier. Produced in a limited run of 15,300 units in Darlan, each device doubles as a statement against planned obsolescence. The designers have even open-sourced the blueprints, encouraging users to repair or remix their Cipherlings.

The “Cipherling Decoded” exhibition transcends traditional tech displays. In one interactive zone, visitors use loaner devices to intercept and decipher live transmissions from a simulated spy network. Weekend workshops teach basic cryptanalysis using historical ciphers (Caesar shifts, Enigma machines) alongside modern AES encryption, drawing parallels between the Cipherling’s algorithms and centuries-old secret-writing techniques. A keynote lecture by NET ELLA’s lead engineer will reveal how the team repurposed WWII-era SIGINT (signals intelligence) principles for artistic expression. Meanwhile, an ambient sound installation replays intercepted Cold War numbers stations—mysterious shortwave broadcasts still unsolved today—processed through the Cipherling’s audio engine into eerie, glitchy harmonies. More than a gadget, this object challenges us to reconsider who controls information in the age of big data. As the exhibition argues: understanding code isn’t just for hackers—it’s the new literacy.