Art of the Future – a story about the exhibition at MAMM

Contents:

• Gamification
• Communication of Machines
• Self-Propelled Vehicles
• Multichannel Beauty
• Design in the Service of Art

MAMM (Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow) has been a key venue for the Moscow Biennale for over 20 years. Every summer, it hosts important contemporary art exhibitions, attracting the attention of both locals and tourists. The museum actively supports new art forms and serves as a platform for dialogue between artists and audiences.

The main theme of the Multimedia Art Museum Biennale traditionally focuses on photography and related art forms. Previously, the museum functioned under the name Moscow House of Photography. In 2010, after reconstruction, the museum reopened with updated premises and a new name, which allowed for an expansion of the exhibition themes. Now the museum actively demonstrates contemporary approaches to photography and interaction with other arts, which makes it an important platform for discussing current issues in the world of visual art.

The "Art for the Future" Biennale, taking place at MAMM for the first time this year, perfectly reflects the museum's contemporary concept. The exhibition harmoniously combines multimedia, art, and museum practices. The exhibition's primary goal is to showcase technologies used in 21st-century art and to present a new form of art, one that is impossible without technological progress. The exhibition highlights the importance of innovation and its impact on artistic expression, shaping a new understanding of contemporary art.

The first biennial, "Art of the Future," opened without a specific theme, allowing the curators to bring together a variety of works reflecting the state of contemporary art in the context of the "era of Industry 4.0." This exhibition is the third in the museum's history to span all eight floors. The exhibition, which features 60 projects, more than a third of which are by international artists, would not have been possible otherwise. The biennial showcases a wide range of artistic approaches and technologies, highlighting the relevance and dynamism of contemporary art.

Gamification

Digital metaworlds are one of the key components of the exhibition. While social networks occupy a significant place in modern society, the curators chose the alternative virtual world of computer games to explore current topics. This solution allows for a deeper understanding of the impact of digital technologies on user interaction and the formation of virtual communities.

In his game "Impossible Stairs," Yaroslav Kravtsov offers players a unique opportunity to explore imaginary worlds inspired by the works of the renowned artist M.C. Escher. Using a joystick, visitors will be able to overcome complex and "impossible" staircases and interact with unusual spatial structures. This game not only entertains but also immerses players in the world of abstract art, sparking an interest in geometric paradoxes and illusions.

In his game "35mm," Sergey Noskov offers players a unique experience of traveling through a post-apocalyptic world. In this game, two wanderers explore abandoned cities and deserted villages, immersing the player in the atmosphere of a desolate reality. 35mm attracts attention with its atmosphere and visual style, creating the opportunity to experience an adventure in a world engulfed in devastation.

Maksim Zmeev takes a unique approach to gameplay in the Type 1.5.11 project. Using an imaginary camera, he explores the virtual worlds of Fallout 76, creating "photographs" of architectural objects built by players themselves. His works not only showcase the community's creativity but also highlight the diversity and richness of in-game locations, opening up new dimensions of interaction with the game. The idea of ​​screen art is not new. Unlike real landscape photographers, virtual "photographers" are unable to control the subject or light, as these parameters are predetermined by the digital environment. In his project, Zmeev establishes a connection between the artificial and the real: in his work, Type 1.5.11, he uses analog prints rather than a screen, employing the callitype method. This photographic printing technique, based on silver and iron salts, was popular among photographers in the late 19th century. The frozen black-and-white images of low-rise buildings against the desert landscapes of Fallout 76 evoke associations with American photography of the first half of the 20th century and the reimagining of industrial landscapes in the 1990s and 2000s. Zmeev's project highlights the importance of the interaction between modern digital technologies and traditional photographic methods, creating a unique visual experience.

Communication between Machines

The exhibition features more than just humans. Fabienne Zocco's work, titled "Game Over and Over," features two robots battling it out in an arcade game. Taking the place of a human at a computer desk, they attempt to shoot down an opponent's airplane on screen. These mechanical players know no fatigue and feel no emotion, their actions are endless, mechanical and meaningless.

In Jake Elwes's "Closed Loop," a text-based and a graphic-based neural network interact on two screens, striving to achieve mutual understanding. The first neural network creates an image, while the second attempts to identify it and provides its interpretation in text format. Typically, the second network sees something different, and its response is returned to the first for processing. Thus, a chain is created: image - text - new image - new text. This process resembles a game of telephone, where neural networks exchange visual and textual data in search of understanding. However, given the current state of technology, achieving true mutual understanding between them remains elusive.

Self-propelled apparatuses

On each floor, living robots are located that actively observe viewers, reacting to their approach and attempting to establish interaction. The kinetic sculpture "Fragments" by Random International, consisting of hundreds of small mirrors, instantly turns toward a person as soon as they approach. A large mirror, which had just been stationary, breaks into many fragments, thereby distorting the reality it previously reflected.

Natalia Alfutova's "Self-Exorcist" has a built-in camera that allows it to monitor viewers. This mechanism, like a cobra, hypnotizes those nearby. Keepers note that the "Self-Exorcist" displays curiosity and becomes upset when left alone. At such moments, it begins searching for someone to "exorcise," appearing depressed.

Almost all the authors emphasize the handmade nature of their mechanical works. Unlike aesthetically pleasing mass-produced objects, these works lack sleek cases and brightly colored shells—they highlight internal components such as circuit boards and wires, as well as the mechanisms that drive the parts. These works appear unfinished, hinting at the ongoing development of the art. Each of these creations can be seen as a working prototype that could become the basis for more technologically advanced and capable objects in the future. Here the emphasis is not on the external appearance, but on the internal content, which constitutes the true value of such works.

Multichannel Beauty

The exhibition features a variety of artists who explore the concept of beauty in its classical sense, treating it as a category. To demonstrate their ideas, they use multichannel video installations, each occupying a separate room. Particularly noteworthy is the work "Turandot 2070" by AEF+S. In their characteristic synthetic manner of digital reality, the artists reimagine the plot of Gozzi's fairy tale, integrating contemporary media formats. This work not only captures attention, but also offers the viewer a new perspective on traditional themes, linking the past and the future through the prism of current technologies.

It's impossible to tear yourself away from the action on three large vertical screens, even without sound. "Turandot 2070" is more than just a set for the opera "Turandot," which premiered in Palermo in 2019. Artists created both the set design and costumes for this production. The installation allows viewers to see only a small portion of the work behind the production, but even in this format, its grandeur can be appreciated. This unique interpretation of a classic opera demonstrates how modern technology and art can combine to create a captivating visual experience.

The video projection "Life and Decay in the Current Moment of Eternity II" offers a unique opportunity to spend time in a tranquil atmosphere. It is the perfect place to relax after the abundance of exhibits and long walks through the exhibition. The project was developed by the international teamLab team, consisting of hundreds of specialists, including mathematicians and engineers. Their work creates a captivating visual experience that explores themes of life and time, immersing viewers in contemplation of eternity.

In real time, a paradise bush blooms, falls, and blooms again on twelve synchronized screens. One can endlessly watch the petals fall and new buds open. The installation is adapted to the state of the day: during the day, the screens depict day, and as evening approaches, dusk. Each frame of the video is unique, as computer intelligence constantly analyzes and generates events in the virtual world. The result is impressive in its beauty and dynamism.

Design in the Service of Art

The hall features a complete exhibition of the works of Dmitry Kavka, a poster designer and contemporary artist specializing in digital media and graphics. The exhibition's central element is the installation "Working on Iron," which, using video on vibrant LCD panels, immerses viewers in the story of man transformed into a myth in the minds of machines. This work raises questions about the interaction between humans and technology, and how digital media can reimagine familiar concepts.

The installation, surrounded by posters from the "Google Still Lifes" series, represents a unique artistic expression. These posters contain characters drawn on paper, taken from GIFs and photographs found on Google. Each element is accompanied by an internet address that allows access to the original file. At first glance, the works appear as bright and cheerful compositions. However, upon closer inspection, they become symbols of Vanitas, a reminder of the transience of the digital world. Each object can disappear from the internet at any moment, and their significance becomes insignificant. The files containing these images lack specific names and are simply random sets of letters. This project highlights the fragility of digital artifacts and raises questions about the value of content in the modern world.

The museum exhibition features designer Simon S. Nikkel's video project "Elephant Juice." This project explores how artificial intelligence interprets human facial expressions and emotions. Through lip reading, the neural network perceives the phrase "I Love You" as the meaningless "Elephant Juice." What else can artificial intelligence think about a person and to what extent can we trust its interpretations of our emotions and behavior?

It is impossible to discuss this exhibition in one article, since the artists explore the relationship between the living and the nonliving. They engage scientists, utilize sound and light, immerse viewers in digital reality, and create visualizations of the future with pencil. Since many of the works defy traditional notions of beauty and may be perplexing, it is recommended to plan sufficient time for your visit. Be sure to read the captions of the works, as they will help you understand the concept and gain a deeper appreciation for the art of this new era. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see how contemporary art intersects with science and technology, opening new horizons of perception.

Interested in visiting this exhibition?

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The exhibition will run until May 15 at the Multimedia Art Museum, located at 16 Ostozhenka Street, Moscow. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this unique event in the art world.

The virtual exhibition is available for viewing from anywhere in the world on the website artforthefuture.art.

Read also:

• 9 interesting exhibitions for designers: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tula, and Yekaterinburg
• A report on the Recycle exhibition, which you can visit until mid-March