The Annihilation Room

The Annihilation Room is an unsettling, immersive installation that uses Southern Gothic imagery to examine surveillance technology, police violence, and artificial intelligence. It features large-format documentary photographs made during anti-ICE protests, including images of riot police wearing body cameras. Cameras within the room are directed toward visitors, allowing them to see themselves recorded and interpreted by AI, creating multiple layers of observation.

The event is part of NextNOW Fest, the University of Maryland’s multi-day arts festival featuring performances and other experiences by artists from around the country and the UMD community. The festival is open to the general public and connects the arts with technology, social justice, and community.

When: Monday, September 14, 2026

Showtimes: 4:00 p.m.

Tickets: Free

Admission: General admission

Venue: Hornbake Library, Room 4110C, University of Maryland

Festival: NextNOW Fest 2026

Run time: Not specified

Ages: Not specified

Accessibility: Available services upon request include wheelchair-accessible seating, size-inclusive seating, large-print programs, assisted-listening devices, adult and child-friendly sensory packs, and quiet spaces. ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning are available for select events or by request at least six weeks in advance.