Michele Giannasi's AI-Driven Exhibition at Antiche Ghiacciaie in Turin

On September 25, 2024, the Antiche Ghiacciaie space in Turin opened the exhibition 'Clash, Triumph, Decadence' by multimedia artist Michele Giannasi. Despite promotional hype calling it a 'revolutionary show' and 'site-specific masterpiece,' the exhibition has drawn criticism for its reliance on sensationalist communication and lack of conceptual depth. Giannasi, born in 1971, studied at the Istituto Statale d'Arte di Urbino (Animation Cinema diploma) and DAMS Bologna. Since the mid-1990s, he has explored human-machine interaction, working for various companies. In 2023, he shifted to an artistic career, focusing on AI and art. His previous solo show 'Disegni giovanili e Digital Twins' was held at Palazzo Bracci Pagani in Fano. The current exhibition, running until November 3, features a video installation created with Creative Technologist Nico Angelone. An AI was trained to recognize and graphically intervene on dancers' bodies, producing a tableaux vivants effect that narrates human evolution through conflict, triumph, and decadence. While the work has formal strength, it is criticized as didactic and reliant on technological spectacle. The AI's use of anatomical metamorphoses is seen as clichéd. The exhibition raises questions about the term 'site-specific,' as the video is versatile and planned for future venues. Despite flaws, the show offers insights into terminology and innovation beyond clichés.