Cyborgs, superhumans and clones. Evolution or extinction? What does it mean to be a human today? What will it feel like to be a human a hundred years from now? Technological capabilities are increasing at a rapid pace—should we continue to embrace modifications to our minds, bodies and daily lives, or are there boundaries we shouldn’t overstep?
HUMAN+. The Future of Our Species (Curated by Cathrine Kramer) is an exhibition that explores potential future trajectories of humankind by considering the implications of both historical and emerging technologies. The "plus" symbol in Human+ implies a positive direction for the future of our species. But what is that direction? For the majority of the 20th century, progress has been measured by increased speed and efficiency—faster, better, stronger—but the side effects have been fatter, sadder and exhausted. Our definition of success needs to be recalibrated.
The 21st century will be characterized by the confluence of fields such as biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence. Manipulating biological processes, controlling digital and mechanical machines and creating non-biological intelligence above and beyond what humans can comprehend— these advances raise ethical questions about the appropriation of life and the alteration of the self. The converging forces of these and other currents will lead us to a new and unknown place.
From subtle provocations to grand gestures, the artworks in this exhibition consider how these changes might be adopted and assimilated. The value in speculation is not prediction, but reflection. What are we striving for?
We are designing our future, consciously or not, and every creator, whatever their discipline, will play a part in this process. In this exhibition artists, designers and scientists speculate on and imagine many possible futures. Now it’s your turn.
The Human+ The Future of Our Species Exhibition gave rise to Project Mix User Experience - MUX, promoted by the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, for original artistic productions at the Media Art Festival focusing on the creative contexts of artificial intelligence.
Italian Section on Exhibition
As part of the Human+ Exhibition, the Fondazione Mondo Digitale organises the Human, Superhuman? Section dedicated to the Italian challenge to artificial intelligence. Internationally renowned artists and works are selected by Valentino Catricalà, Artistic Director of the Media Art Festival. "What is the purpose of being human?" The answer is provided through seven works by four artists (Paolo Cirio, Donato Piccolo, Roberto Pugliese, Davide Quayola) and two collectives (AOS, None Collective).
Rome
Palazzo delle Esposizioni
HUMAN+ The Future of Our Species
February 27 – July 1, 2018
