MICHELANGELO PISTOLETTO

With the Quadro Specchiante (1961-62), the threshold of the unknown was opened and the universe presented itself to our gaze, offering us its total immensity.

The development of Artificial Intelligence now allows me to penetrate practically into the universal phenomenology reflected in Quadro Specchiante.

The exhibition Meta Connections displays some stages of the journey towards the integration of the human mind and the artificial mind through technological development.

In the work QR Code Possession – Self-portrait (2019 – ‘23), I introduced a tattoo of 12 QR codes into the snapshot of my portrait, which reflect salient moments of my life, thus extending my memory of myself in the space-time of the Mirroring Picture.

In the work_Girl Photographing a QR Code_ (2021), the figure fixed on the mirrored surface holds a smartphone displaying a QR code, through which the viewer can see me accompanying visitors and illustrating the tour of the exhibition of my works.

The work QR Code Possession – Michelangelo Pistoletto & A.I. is presented for the first time in this exhibition. It consists of five “abstract” canvases, each measuring 135×135 cm, each containing, and together representing, character and meaning. By scanning the QR Code on each canvas with their digital device, viewers can participate directly in the intense dialogue between M.P. and A.I. In five rounds of questions and answers, the human being and the artificial being reach a precise and clear mutual understanding.