ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Alessandro Bavari's Metachaos: A Digital Apocalypse of Human Self-Destruction

artist · 2026-04-27

Alessandro Bavari's 'Metachaos', a project that took three years to complete using a Canon XL1 camera and Softimage 3D software, offers a bleak portrayal of humanity's tendency towards self-destruction. This video, which won the Golden Nica at the Prix Ars Electronica in 2011, illustrates identity-less anthropomorphic figures existing in a timeless realm, delving into issues of war, insanity, and societal transformation. It is featured in the 'HUMANS. Video-ritratti della società contemporanea' initiative curated by Giovanni Viceconte, born from the isolation of Covid-19. The soundtrack was a collaboration with Jeff Ensign. A follow-up, 'Metachaos 2.0', showcases 'Coaxial Sharing of the Big Deception' at the Venice Biennale, drawing inspiration from Orwell's '1984'. Bavari, a digital art innovator born in Latina in 1963, is also exploring AI and NFTs.

Key facts

  • Alessandro Bavari created the video 'Metachaos' over three years using a Canon XL1 camera and Softimage 3D software.
  • 'Metachaos' won the Golden Nica at Prix Ars Electronica in 2011 for best animation.
  • The video depicts anthropomorphic bodies without identity in a timeless, spaceless state, exploring themes of war, madness, social change, and hatred.
  • Bavari collaborated with US musician Jeff Ensign for the soundtrack.
  • The work is part of the 'HUMANS. Video-ritratti della società contemporanea' project curated by Giovanni Viceconte, initiated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • A sequel series 'Metachaos 2.0' includes 'Coaxial Sharing of the Big Deception', exhibited at the Decentral Art Pavilion during the Venice Biennale.
  • Bavari is experimenting with AI generative software for future projects.
  • Bavari views NFTs as a tool for ensuring uniqueness, ownership, and traceability of digital works, potentially disrupting traditional art market intermediaries.

Entities

Artists

  • Alessandro Bavari
  • Giovanni Viceconte
  • Jeff Ensign

Institutions

  • Prix Ars Electronica
  • Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma
  • Decentral Art Pavilion
  • Biennale d'Arte di Venezia
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Latina
  • Italy
  • Rome
  • Venice

Sources