Refik Anadol is a Turkish artist and director who utilizes the latest in artificial intelligence to crunch massive algorithms into hypnotizing data sculptures. As a meteoric figure in the world of art, Roman luxury house, BVLGARI, enlisted Anadol for its latest installation, Serpenti Metamorphosis, which recently debuted at the Piazza del Duomo in Milan.
Claimed as the first AI artwork made for a luxury brand, the installation explores the relationship between technology and art by celebrating nature through machine learning algorithms. For example, Anadol has meticulously set up the machine to learn an image of a flower or a snake, which will then learn corresponding images to its color, shape and patterns — creating a memory bank of information that continuously recasts the sculpture in real time.
The award-winning artist was inspired by the process of metamorphosis and the luxury jewelry brand’s iconic Serpenti symbol. Where the traditions of art and tech used to be disparate disciplines, Anadol noted in a past interview, “Art, design, science and technology can’t be separated anymore – we’re in a new era.”
“Serpenti Metamorphosis” will be open to the public in Milan throughout October, embarking on a world tour shortly after. Lastly, the digital art will be minted into a unique NFT that will be made available to purchase at a later date. Proceeds of the sale will go to a charity chosen by BVLGARI and the artist.
In case you missed it, researchers have digitally recreated the facial features of three ancient Egyptians.
Piazza del Duomo
Milan, Italy
