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Human or Superhuman?

Human or Superhuman?

Human or Superhuman?

Cyborgs, superhumans and clones. Evolution or extinction? What does it mean, today, to be a male or a female? What will it mean in a hundred years? Must we continue accepting that our minds, our bodies and our lives can be daily modified? Or are there limits that must not be crossed?

 

These are some of the questions at the centre of the Human+. The Future of Our Species Exhibition that will be held starting on February 27 at the Rome Palazzo delle Esposizioni. The exhibition is a vast scientific review exploring the potential evolution of humanity in relation to past and future technology.

 

The 21st century will experience the convergence of sectors such as bio-technology, robotics and artificial intelligence. It will feature the manipulation of biological processes, control by digital and mechanical devices, and the creation of a non-biological intelligence, superior to that of mankind. All of these processes raise ethical issues on this and other aspects that will lead us into new, unchartered territory.

 

From subtle provocations to great gestures, the works of art presented in the exhibition represent the many ways in which we can accept or assimilate these changes. The stakes, in fact, are not our ability to predict the future, but rather our ability to reflect upon it. What are we fighting for? Consciously or not, we are creating our future. And every discipline will play a role in this process.

 

Human+. The Future of Our Species, curated by Cathrine Kramer, presents a series of imagined and real possibilities that will allow visitors to choose the future they prefer for the human species.

 

The exhibition includes nearly 40 works including installations, movies, sculpture and photographs by some of the most important international artists, designers and scientists and who are renowned for their exploration of the connections between art and science. Their works focus on the meaning of belonging to the human species, the confines of the body and the species, and the limits of what is socially and ethically acceptable.

 

Should we improve ourselves or try to modify our progeny? Is the prolonged longevity of mankind a marvellous aspiration or a terrible prospect for the Earth? Some of the most brilliant and creative minds have hypothesized and imagined a series of possible futures for the exhibition.

 

Human+. The Future of Our Species

 

The “Mix User Experience - MUX”Contest, launched by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and the Palazzo delle Esposizioni is based on the “Human+. The Future of Our Species” Exhibition. The contest, which is dedicated to students, as well as professionals, creatives, makers and designers, aims to make the exhibition attractive to the audience at large, through the development of creative projects (i.e., applications, videos, installations, etc.) that can help viewers interact with the works and provide ideas for new applications to interest people in culture and create new audiences. For further information: MUX - Mix User Experience.

 

The Human+ exhibition is organised into five sections. “Human or Superhuman?, the fifth section, is curated by Valentino Catricalà, Fondazione Mondo Digitale.

 

In 1941, Isaac Asimov, inspired by Descartes had a robot pronounce the following words in his short story entitled “Reason”: “I think therefore I am.” So, we have to understand where this statement leads us. The four artists and two collectives selected by Valentino Catricalà for the “Human, Superhuman?” Section, which was conceived expressly for the Roman exhibition, in collaboration with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, aims to make us reflect on this fundamental issue. Exactly as in the story of Chabot, when the philosopher robot, an artificial intelligence, asks human philosopher Barnabooth: “what is the use of being human?” Barnabooth smiles and replies: “to cultivate the mystery of existence, to reduce violence, and to experiment new forms of joy. Do you have an idea?” “No, I’m sorry. I don’t have any. You are the philosopher with thirty years of experience. Let’s not invert our roles.”

 

Human+. The Future of Our Species

Edited by Cathrine Kramer

Exhibition promoted by Roma Capitale, Cultural Council

Organised by Azienda Speciale Palaexpo

The exhibition was conceived and presented for the first time by Science Gallery at Trinity College in Dublin; the itinerant version is co-produced by Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin and the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona

The Roman edition is curated in collaboration with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale for the “Human, Superhuman” Section curated by Valentino Catricalà

 

 

 

Information

Title: Human+. The Future of Our Species

Place: Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Via Nazionale 194 - 00184 Rome

Period: February 27 – July 1, 2018

Time: Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 10 am – 8 pm; Friday/Saturday 10 am – 22:30 pm; Monday: closed

Information and Reservations: Individuals, groups and art labs Tel. 06.39967500; www.palazzoesposizioni.it

Tickets:  Full price € 12,50; reduced € 10,00; schools € 4,00 per student

Children 7-18 € 6,00; children under 6 FREE

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