In the wake of the Corriere Art Collection's relaunch at the end of 2023, a new chapter unfolds with Andrea Bonaceto's "Verba Mundi" on this month's special edition cover of la Lettura #638.
Echoing Rilke's insight, "The future enters into us, to transform itself within us, long before it happens," February’s issue introduces "Verba Mundi" as a collectible artwork that sets out on a profound investigation into the human condition within our digitizing era. Rather than positioning technology as an instrument, it positions it as a collaborative force in the act of creation itself — a perspective that calls for a comprehensive reimagining of the human-technology creative process, where the boundaries between artists and tools begin to blur for a new outlook on creativity, authorship, and artificial intelligence.
Andrea Bonaceto: Mapping the Language of Art in the Digital Age
Born in Pisa in 1989, Andrea Bonaceto is an artist standing at the crossroads of art and innovation, embodying the rare blend of an artist's sensitivity with a visionary entrepreneur's tenacity.
This unique intersection has not only defined his career but also his approach to creativity. Despite his formal education in Economics and Finance, Bonaceto's unwavering passion for visual arts, poetry, and music carried him into the digital art sphere — a transition where interdisciplinary pursuits became the catalyst for an extraordinary journey of creative expression.
Andrea Bonaceto’s artistic philosophy extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of the traditional canvas, creating an immersive, interactive narrative that invites viewers to engage on a deeper, more reflective level. As a result, his work primarily involves metaphysical explorations that challenge audiences to rethink the nature of existence and the interplay between culture and technology. Such an approach to art transforms the spectator's role from a passive observer to an active participant, distinguishing Bonaceto's artistic signature.
Central to this approach is his innovative work with Artificial Intelligence as a creative medium and partner, particularly in projects that merge human creativity with AI's computational power. In 2021 Bonaceto collaborated artistically with artificial intelligence robot Sophia addressing the potential of AI as a co-creator, challenging our understanding of authorship and creativity.
Furthermore, Bonaceto's art is acclaimed for its dynamic, captivating, and evolving character, illustrated by projects like "The Moon Landing" (2021), "AB INFINITE 1" for Christie’s (2022), and “Tempus Fugit” for Phillips (2023) — Each of which non-static, designed to be primarily interactive and to change over time when influenced by viewer interaction or specific milestones. In this way, he invites the audience to literally become part of the artwork, further blurring the lines between the two.
Bonaceto’s work has been featured in international venues and institutions globally such as Museo della Permanente (Milan, IT), CAFA Art Museum (Beijing, CN), Musée des Art Décoratifs (Paris, FRA), W1 Curates (London, UK), Christie’s (London, UK), Phillips (London, UK), Times Square (New York, USA), Dreamverse Gallery (New York, USA), Art in Space (Dubai, UAE), Decentral Art Pavilion (Venice, IT), among others. Bonaceto has received several awards which includes Forbes 30 Under 30 Italy 2019, Talented Young Italian Award, Fortune 40 Under 40 Italy 2023.
The Dichotomy Between Mankind and Artificial Intelligence: Verba Mundi
"Verba Mundi" explores the dichotomy between mankind and Artificial Intelligence, positioning the human experience at the heart of its inquiry.
Central to the artwork is Bonaceto's distinctive symbolic language, adorned with characters that have become hallmarks of his artistic expression over the years. These symbols, rich with individual meanings, constitute a personal alphabet that evolves in resonance with the audience's interactions. This dynamic process reflects the human condition itself — a continual journey of self-definition and the development of unique ways of communicating shaped by life's myriad experiences.
Encapsulating this human narrative is the technological dimension, represented in the artwork's background through elements crafted by Artificial Intelligence. Initiated by Bonaceto's expressive symbols, this creative endeavor by AI acts as a testament to the potential of a symbiotic relationship between human insight and machine intelligence. This interplay embodies the essence of a collaborative future, where human and machine enhance each other's capabilities, creating a cycle of mutual enrichment.
Through this lens, "Verba Mundi" invites viewers to reflect on the evolving relationship between humans and AI. It poses thoughtful questions about our collective future, encouraging us to consider how this blend of creativity and technology might navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. An artistic dialogue that not only underscores the potential for harmony between man and machine, but also projects a vision of co-creation that could redefine the boundaries of artistic innovation and expression.
“Rainer Maria Rilke spoke the truth. He wrote, "The future enters into us, to transform itself within us, long before it happens." This cover by Andrea Bonaceto (Pisa, 1989), one of the most acclaimed digital artists, demonstrates how time (and a vision of the future) can alter languages and perceptions within the art system. The piece we see represents something that will fully materialize in a future yet to unfold. A cover acting as a gateway to a new dimension of observation. A cover that is truly special, for several reasons: firstly, this piece is the outcome of a collaborative process with artificial intelligence. Bonaceto manually crafted the central part of the artwork, while the outer portion was generated by artificial intelligence, incorporating years of the artist's creative legacy. Secondly, all the central figures serve as the foundation for a new alphabet (think Egyptian hieroglyphs) that will only gain meaning through interaction with future digital audiences. Thirdly, this cover, for the first time in the history of "La Lettura," will be offered with a digital certificate of authenticity for those interested. This makes the cover uniquely special. A collector's item, indeed.”
___ Gianluigi Colin, Art Director at Corriere della Sera
This special physical issue of la Lettura featuring the cover art of Andrea Bonaceto will be available at newsstands for a month — starting from February 18th, 2024 — with the option to redeem the related digital artwork from February 20th within the same time period.