Gill Gatfield's 'Tablet' Fuses Carrara Marble, Gold Barcode, and AI-AR at Pietrasanta
The sculpture 'Tablet' (2026) by New Zealand artist Gill Gatfield is currently displayed in Pietrasanta, Italy, where it investigates themes of sculpture, code, and materiality. This piece showcases a sleek Carrara marble exterior, supported by a brass cube, and features a 23-carat gold barcode at its core, which activates an exclusive AI-AR extension for the future owner. The title draws connections between ancient stone carvings and contemporary digital technology, while the marble pays homage to local sculptural heritage. Incorporating the Fibonacci sequence and ancient chrysography, 'Tablet' challenges conventional sculpture by integrating computational elements into a static form. This work continues Gatfield's inquiry into signs and transmission, following 'Harmony' (2022) and 'CHIP' (2025), and introduces ethical considerations regarding ownership.
Key facts
- Gill Gatfield's sculpture 'Tablet' (2026) is exhibited in Pietrasanta, Italy.
- The work combines Carrara marble, brass, and 23-carat gold.
- A gold barcode is incised on the marble surface, serving as a key to an AI-AR extension.
- Access to the AI-AR layer is restricted to the future owner, who receives an access code.
- The title 'Tablet' references both ancient inscribed stone and modern digital devices.
- The sculpture incorporates robotic inscription and algorithmic design, referencing the Fibonacci sequence.
- The gold leaf recalls the ancient technique of chrysography.
- The work is part of Gatfield's ongoing exploration of sign and transmission, following 'Harmony' (2022) and 'CHIP' (2025).
Entities
Artists
- Gill Gatfield
Institutions
- NARS Foundation
- 59th Venice Biennale
Locations
- Pietrasanta
- Italy
- Carrara
- New York
- Venice
- New Zealand
- Apuan Alps
- United States