In this interview, internationally acclaimed artist Paul Ygartua will dive into the inspiration and profound themes behind his latest work, “A Dream Come True?”, currently featured at the Personal Structures – Beyond Boundaries exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2024.
Ygartua will explore the dystopian future his piece envisions, where humanity’s dream of immortality is realized through Artificial Intelligence, but at a great cost. He will discuss the symbolism of the conveyor belt of souls—faces traveling into the unknown, suspended on cubes that represent imprisonment within an AI-controlled world. Cold blue hues and stark red accents convey bleakness and brutality, while the expressions of fear and hopelessness challenge viewers to question the consequences of humanity’s reliance on technology.
Ygartua will invite the audience to contemplate the ethical and existential dilemmas posed by AI, urging a reflection on what humanity stands to lose in its pursuit of eternal life through technology. His interview promises to be a thought-provoking conversation about art, technology, and the uncertain future ahead.
Paul Ygartua Unveils Art Intervention “A Dream Come True?” at Personal Structures – Beyond Boundaries, in Conjunction with the Venice Biennale 2024
Venice, Italy – April 20, 2024 – Internationally acclaimed artist Paul Ygartua is honored to announce his participation in the Personal Structures – Beyond Boundaries exhibition, organized by the European Cultural Centre (ECC) Italy. This group exhibition runs in conjunction with the Venice Biennale 2024, from April 20 to November 24, 2024, across three historic venues: Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora, and Marinaressa Gardens.
A Dream Come True? serves as Ygartua’s central Art Intervention at the Personal Structures – Beyond Boundariesexhibition, offering a powerful commentary on the dystopian consequences of humanity’s quest for immortality through artificial intelligence. The piece transforms Ygartua’s vivid artistic vision into an interactive experience, where the audience is invited to engage with the unsettling future he envisions—a world where AI not only governs daily life but also manipulates human souls, promising eternal life at the cost of humanity’s essence.
The installation is characterized by its striking use of color and form, with cold blue tones and stark red accents that evoke feelings of imprisonment, fear, and loss. Visitors encounter a conveyor belt of human faces, symbolizing souls caught in the unrelenting march of technology towards an uncertain future. The angular lines and the mechanical movement within the installation highlight the tension between human aspirations and the impersonal, overpowering force of AI.
Ygartua’s A Dream Come True? challenges viewers to reflect on the ethical and existential dilemmas posed by advanced technology. By immersing the audience in this dystopian landscape, the Art Intervention encourages deep introspection about the potential costs of humanity’s most coveted dreams when they are filtered through the lens of AI.
“It is a great honor and privilege to be invited to exhibit in Personal Structures – Beyond Boundaries during the Venice Biennale 2024. To be received and acknowledged in this world-renowned cultural event is a significant moment in my career,” says Ygartua.
Micaela and the ECC Italy Team, organizers of the Personal Structures – Beyond Boundaries exhibition, were impressed by the intensity and relevance of Ygartua’s work, believing his participation would be a valuable and stimulating addition to the event.
For over five decades, Paul Ygartua has been a pioneer in exploring themes of human destruction and dystopian futures. His work consistently pushes boundaries, compelling audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about the world we live in. From his early work Devastation IRA in the 1970s to his recent series created during the pandemic, Ygartua’s art remains a powerful commentary on the human condition.
“A Dream Come True?” at Personal Structures – Beyond Boundaries in conjunction with the Venice Biennale 2024 is an essential experience, offering a provocative narrative that resonates deeply with contemporary concerns about technology, power, and the future of humanity.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Ygartua, please contact us.