Dall’argilla all’algoritmo. Arte e tecnologia

Dall’argilla all’algoritmo. Arte e tecnologia. Dalle Collezioni di Intesa Sanpaolo e del Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea at the Gallerie d’Italia in Milan investigates the relation between technology, human subjectivity and art.

Technology (from téchne, art, ability, craft, and logos, word, speech, reasoning) refers to the set of knowledge by which science is applied to create useful tools for society, be they utensils, machines or equipment for transport, communications or warfare: from the first stone used by humans to fire and iron and the discovery of clay, to the wheel, the mirror, paper and printing, electricity, the telephone, the Internet and, finally, to the combined use of genetics, nanotechnology, digital technology, robotics and artificial intelligence.

Since the dawn of time, technological advances have modified our experience of reality, bringing with them changes to social relations and the collective and individual imagination and turning them into possible forms of artistic creativity.
The theme is particularly relevant in today’s society 4.0 (society 5.0 in the future), where digital innovation brings us into constant contact with new experiences in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Based on the present perspective, the exhibition curated by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev and Marcella Beccaria – and coordinated by Gianfranco Brunelli – offers an exploration of unheard and intentionally non-chronological dialogues: it ranges from ancient Greek vases to work by contemporary international artists, examining the ways artists from different eras have approached technology, its allure, its utopias and demons, anticipating or reflecting radical social and cultural changes.

Chosen from the collections of Intesa Sanpaolo and Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, the works will remain on display from Friday 31 May to Sunday 8 September 2019.

There will also be a series of side events, detailed in the Events section: guided tours for adults and Musei Lombardia pass holders, activities for families and parishes, philosophy workshops for children in partnership with the Ludosofici association.