Re:Humanism, the exhibition about connection between contemporary art and Artificial Intelligence

Re:Humanism, the exhibition about connection between contemporary art and Artificial Intelligence

Giulia Guido · 3 years ago · Art

From Wednesday 5 to Sunday 30 May, the Spazio CORNER MAXXI of the Museo nazionale delle Arti del XXI secolo, in Rome, will open its doors to host the second edition of the exhibition Re:Humanism – Re:define the Boundaries.

Ten artists will investigate the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and contemporary art, inviting to reflect on a future increasingly linked to technology in all its aspects. For this reason, the works will touch on themes related to society, but also to biodiversity, ecological awareness, gender identity. 

WHAT:
Re:Humanism – Re:define the Boundaries
WHEN:
5 – 30 MAY
WHERE:
Spazio CORNER MAXXI, Museo nazionale delle Arti del XXI secolo (RomE)

The artists in the exhibition will be the Entangled Others, Yuguang Zhang, Johanna Bruckner, Irene Fenara, the collective Umanesimo Artificiale, the duo composed by Elizabeth Christoforetti & Romy El Sayah, Mariagrazia Pontorno, Egor Kraft, Numero Cromatico and Carola Bonfili, and their projects in the exhibition are the winners of Re:Humanism Art Prize

The relationship between contemporary art and Artificial Intelligence is a theme that can not be ignored and, in addition to making us discover worlds and technologies far from our daily lives, can give rise to a healthy debate on the future of art and beyond.
We at Collater.al were lucky enough to ask a few questions to Daniela Cotimbo, curator and President of the association Re:Humanism, who told us what we will find in the exhibition and her point of view on the subject. Don’t miss the interview below and some images of the works and visit the official website to find out all the Infos!

Before talking about the exhibition, let’s talk a bit about you. Your research has always focused on the analysis and investigation of issues related to the present through different and new means of expression and through new technologies. Where do your interest in this subject and these themes come from?

The fascination for the world of technology has always been part of me, I think. I belong to that generation of people who have seen the spread of the Internet and subsequent technologies connected through devices such as smartphones, PCs and more. Behind what seem to be simple tools I read all the complexity of human progress and its social implications. If art has accompanied me throughout my school career, technology has entered in an important way in my research, starting from my three-year thesis, where I explored the worlds of art within Second Life. The approach to artificial intelligence, on the other hand, was born from my meeting with Alan Advantage, the company that promoted the prize, which from the beginning stimulated me with transversal themes and deeper technical knowledge. Today I believe it is really difficult to keep technology out of humanistic discourse.

From May 5 to 30 “Re:Humanism – Re:define the boundaries” will open its doors, what will a person who decides to visit the exhibition find in front of him?

Good question, certainly not a canonical exhibition, in the sense that if you expect to be surrounded by robots, cables and computers (although I love the aesthetics of technology) you might be disappointed. In fact, this award is a testament to how technological languages such as AI are slowly penetrating more and more into the fabric of contemporary art. Artists are using them both as an end in themselves, to better understand their nature and implications, and as a tool to support their ideas or imagine new types of interfaces. Thus, it may happen to see in the exhibition a tapestry that makes us reflect on the concept of extinction of tigers (Irene Fenara), an aquarium populated by a coral reef generated by algorithms (Entangled Others), a bed animated by a non-human gesture (Yuguang Zhang) or the sound recall of a modified DNA (Artificial Humanism). On the contrary, there are other works that tell how artificial intelligence helps us to revisit ancient languages such as Chinese painting (Egor Kraft), the untranslatable Voynich manuscript (Mariagrazia Pontorno) or the poetic verses contained in epitaphs (Numero Cromatico). Finally, there are works that exploit the language and culture that revolve around AI to imagine new forms of relationship between species (Johanna Bruckner), between body and space (Elizabeth Christoforetti & Romy El Sayah) and existence within the digital (Carola Bonfili).

re:humanism
Molecular Sex, Johanna Bruckner

When you try to relate distant and separate disciplines, such as art and new technologies, something extraordinary is often born, but not everyone can understand it right away. How would you explain to these people the need to create new ways of artistic production?

On this we must make a premise, art has always gone hand in hand with what we used to call technique and that today through technological advancement has become a real language. When, for example, cave painting was born, someone understood that he could use tools or his own body to communicate with others in a symbolic language. If we think about this in relation to technology, we realize that what we are witnessing is nothing more than a natural process of evolution of art as an expression of the reality that surrounds us. Certainly technology today runs faster than ever and it is not always easy to keep up with new discoveries and the latest developments. However, it is an effort that needs to be made because the implications, and here I am referring especially to AI, are so many and now concern us very closely. Perhaps the opposite is true, namely that it is the art that, by subverting the rules of the game, helps us to better understand technology.

Among the works that will be on display, the one that attracted my attention the most is “Epitaphs for the human artist” by Numero Cromatico. It is a sort of epitaph that definitively decrees the death of the human artist. Do you think that this figure will disappear completely in the future or do you think that the human artist will resist in time but will have to share the role of the creator with technological devices, artificial intelligence and algorithms?

Numero Cromatico’s work acts on several semantic levels. It certainly helps us reflect on how poetic forms that have been handed down spontaneously, such as the verses normally contained in epitaphs, in the very near future will be totally the prerogative of algorithms. The point, again, is not whether it will be the human artist who will disappear but how these forms of expression will be passed on to us. Are we willing to entrust an intimate memory such as the one that accompanies our lives to an AI? And if so, how will we experience it? To answer your question even better, AI algorithms already have a very developed “creative” potential, the so called “Black Box”, a latent semantic space that is not yet clear to us how it is able to process the data we give it. All this is very fascinating but the real question we should ask ourselves is: what is art “for” and why should an AI replace an artist in this sense? The answer I can give myself today is that AI enhances the creative possibilities of an artist in so many ways that I am very curious to explore.

Re:Humanism
Epitaphs For The Human Artist, Numero Cromatico

In the last few years, and especially in the last few months, we are noticing how not only artistic production is becoming more and more linked to the technological world, but also the sale and fruition of art are becoming more digital. Do you think that in this way, in the long run, art will be more accessible to everyone or, on the contrary, will it become more exclusive?

I guess you are referring in particular to the rise of NFTs (Non-fungible tokens) which at this moment represent a very interesting phenomenon within the art world and beyond. Personally, I don’t like sectorizations, I think that technology is now part of the tools available to artists but certainly, not being neutral tools, every time we introduce one we have to expand our gaze to the context of production. I mention NFTs because they actually represent a nice paradigm shift, they push us to conceive art no longer as an object, something to be owned necessarily in a physical way, in most cases we are talking about digital formats that can be presented on screens but also simply be stored in a folder on our PC. Certainly a technology of this kind is revolutionizing the way we approach art, favoring the rise of new types of collectors and enthusiasts. However, we must specify that these collective phenomena could be temporary and due to the initial enthusiasm, what could easily happen is that everything returns to the canons of the traditional art market. So, to answer you, I have to say that the complexity of contemporary art is not something we can renounce to and it is not said that technologies facilitate the access to complex contents, however I believe in a greater need by artists to measure themselves with the themes of our time and this, probably can really facilitate this encounter with the public.

Re:Humanism
(Non-)Human: The Moving Bedsheet, Yuguang Zhang
re:humanism
Body As Building, Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti & Romy El Sayah
Re:Humanism, the exhibition about connection between contemporary art and Artificial Intelligence
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What the Lego Birkin Made Me Think About

What the Lego Birkin Made Me Think About

Anna Frattini · 3 days ago · Design, Style

For days, an image of a Birkin made of Lego bricks has been circulating on Instagram. The perfect recipe for viral content. The orange we associate with Hermès reimagined in a new, unsettling way. The ubiquitous Birkin and all other luxury goods transformed into Lego can be found on @glam.tol, the profile that sparked this phenomenon. However, all the content is crafted with the valuable assistance of AI.

Many of the objects conceived by @glam.tol that have gone viral firmly belong to the concept of quiet luxury, an interesting aspect of this phenomenon that reminds us of how attracted we still are to very expensive bags and brand-branded accessories—thus, highly recognizable items like the Ralph Lauren signature cap. According to some, the intention behind these images might be to announce the collaboration between Lego and Hermès. However, on TikTok, others think it’s unlikely given the rarity with which the French fashion house has entered into partnerships throughout its history.

@thebrandblueprint Hermès and Lego partnership is sadly never going to happen because Hermes doesn’t partner with brands #collaboration #hermes #legos #marketing #brand #branding #rollsroyce #mcclaren #greenscreen ♬ original sound – Brooke💡Marketing, Brand, Ecom

In short, a lot of smoke and no fire, except for the umpteenth confirmation of how easy it is to create hyper-realistic images thanks to the use of Artificial Intelligence, a topic that has been debated this year by PhotoVogue but continues to be relevant not only in the world of photography but also in marketing. The virality of these images is the proof.

courtesy @glam.tol

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Swatch pays tribute to the world of The Simpsons

Swatch pays tribute to the world of The Simpsons

Anna Frattini · 2 days ago · Style

The donuts from The Simpsons, Homer’s favorites, have become iconic in our imagination as the quintessential donuts. So much so that Swatch has reproduced them on a watch. SECONDS OF SWEETNESS is a tribute to the world of The Simpsons and the typically American donuts loved by Homer. In short, this Swatch immediately makes us want to rewatch the nineteenth episode of the ninth season of The Simpsons, where Homer is prosecuted by the Giant Donut.

Let’s talk about the watch. It’s an item that plays with the donut theme, becoming immediately recognizable for fans of the TV series. The donut-shaped dial adds a fun touch to the way we wear Swatch, dressed in sugary style on this occasion. Moreover, the watch is also available with SwatchPAY! functionality, very useful in everyday life.

Available from November 2, coinciding with the arrival of the 35th season of The Simpsons. But the surprises don’t end here; Swatch and animated series fans will be surprised by other projects involving all the protagonists of the TV series. This watch comes alongside the launch of two other products also inspired by the world of The Simpsons: WONDROUS WINTER WONDERLAND and TIDINGS OF JOY. The first brings together the cartoon characters in gingerbread version as they dance on the snow-studded strap, while the second immortalizes the Simpson family singing together for the holiday season. Both models are already available in Swatch stores and on the website.

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Swatch pays tribute to the world of The Simpsons
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Everyone wants Dr. Martens’ Jadon collaboration with Ganni

Everyone wants Dr. Martens’ Jadon collaboration with Ganni

Anna Frattini · 2 days ago · Style

The Jadon shoe is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and Dr. Martens has decided to commemorate the occasion with an unexpected partnership with Ganni. Rebellion and coolness come together in a boot that, when reimagined, becomes even more iconic. The photo announcing this partnership, captured by Grant James-Thomas, is a clear sign of the fusion of these two iconic brands.

GANNI è un brand che ha fatto irruzione nei feed di tutti per i look bon ton ma anche smart, dimostrando un dinamismo unico nel suo genere. La componente giocosa e positiva delle sue collezioni assume un carattere progressista che ha permesso al brand danese di farsi conoscere diventando un fenomeno globale. Insomma, c’é tutto. Anche il logo a farfalla di GANNI. Uno degli aspetti più interessanti di questa scarpa, però, sta nel materiale: una combinazione di poliestere e materiali privi di pellame. Ci troviamo quindi davanti a una scarpa che – con ogni probabilità – andrà subito sold-out.

GANNI is a brand that has made its way into everyone’s feeds with its chic and smart looks, demonstrating a unique dynamism. The playful and positive component of its collections takes on a progressive character that has allowed the Danish brand to become a global phenomenon. In short, this partnership has it all, including GANNI’s butterfly logo. However, one of the most interesting aspects of this shoe lies in the material: a combination of polyester and leather-free materials. We are therefore faced with a shoe that will likely sell out immediately.

The price is €285, available in sizes EU36 – 48 on ganni.com and drmartens.com, as well as in some selected stores.

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Moncler embraces Rick Owens’s futurism

Moncler embraces Rick Owens’s futurism

Anna Frattini · 1 day ago · Style

The collaboration announced today between Moncler and Rick Owens takes us into a new dimension, adorned with meticulously designed garments to fit into the environment recreated by Owens. A certainly innovative and extraordinary scenario, a “Sleep Pod” serving as the backdrop for the entire launch campaign. From the photos, it appears as if we are witnessing a tent with a futuristic character, a backdrop that is both comforting and strange at the same time.

Moncler x Rick Owens: details from the collection

An intimate, deeply introspective project is found in the concept of the silent sleeping pod recreated by Owens. «Halfway between a meat locker and an Egyptian tomb,» reads the press release. A truly captivating concept that comes with matchy-matchy outfits to be worn within this reality isolated from everything and more. Additionally, in the background of the campaign photos, the co-branded logo can be glimpsed, which we will see on all the pieces.

Let’s step out of this Sleep Pod for a moment and talk about the collection: the silhouettes are elongated, and the padding features a very interesting ray pattern. The palette, clearly, plays with very dark tones with the addition of dyed cotton denim and organic cotton jersey along with nylon and cashmere shaded from blue to acid yellow. The variety of garments remains one of the most interesting aspects: flight jackets, puffers, and down jackets, along with extra-long coats, accompany skirts, shorts, and tops. The denim, on the other hand, is cut to create tunics, dresses, and skirts, ring scarves, and shaggy boots along with a quilted blanket. In short, everything we could expect from a collaboration of this caliber is present in this collection.

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