A.I. Artisanal Intelligence at Altaroma Explores Grand Tour Theme with Contemporary Art

The summer edition of Altaroma, Rome's fashion and craftsmanship event, features A.I. Artisanal Intelligence, a project curated by Clara Tosi Pamphili and Alessio de' Navasques at Ex Dogana di San Lorenzo from July 8 to 11, 2016. The theme is the Grand Tour, inspired by J.W. Goethe's 'Italian Journey' published 200 years ago, positioning travel as essential for identity formation. The exhibition spans artisanal crafts, design, fashion, and for the first time, contemporary art. A.I. now supports the production of site-specific works by young artists, with this edition featuring Ophelia Finke, a British artist working between London and Berlin, who created an installation titled 'To Rome with love' featuring a white jeep referencing Hannibal's white elephant and the god Pan. The micromosaic technique is highlighted as the origin of the pixel, with historical works from Laboratorio Faraoni 137 and contemporary pieces. Designers include Celeste Pisenti, Stefano Russo, Gergei Erdei, Maria Sole Ferragamo (with accessories inspired by Renaissance elements), and Masakatsu Tsumura's Period Features brand using eco-sustainable materials. International designers from Japan, Hungary, England, and Germany participate, all producing Made in Italy. The event also references literary and cinematic figures like Charles Dickens, James Joyce, Roberto Rossellini, Peter Greenaway, and James Ivory.