Cao Fei's 'Dash' at Fondazione Prada: A Drone on the Altar

The exhibition 'Dash' by Chinese artist Cao Fei opened at the Podium of Fondazione Prada in Milan, Italy, on January 8, 2026. The show begins with an agricultural drone, presented as the first object, which is described as enormous with open propellers and a compact body, resembling a large black insect poised for takeoff. Surrounding the drone are luminous panels that tout its efficiency: hectares covered, liters distributed, precision, and labor reduction. A screen displays the drone flying over perfectly green fields, dropping an unnamed liquid. The critic Sara Benaglia, who authored the review, notes that the imagery is reminiscent of promotional videos from a multinational agrochemical company, with the same language of clean fields, clean numbers, and no surprises. The review, titled 'Cao Fei, il drone sull'altare' (Cao Fei, the drone on the altar), was published on doppiozero.com. The exhibition is curated by Anita Romanello. The review raises the question of whether the drone is a form of advertising, but concludes that the question arrives too early. The show is noted for its unconventional, non-museum-like beginning, challenging traditional exhibition norms.