Portal of Memory
Portal of Memory
A project that blends the ancient with the contemporary: ceramic pieces serving as canvases for generative geometry.
“I am a stone. I repeat: a stone. I know you cannot understand me” — the opening line of Essere pietra by Italo Calvino holds the essence of the project. Stones carry a temporal value within their material; they keep the memory of their journey.
The ceramic shapes are inspired by Platonic solids, a form known to the Etruscans: excavations on Monte Loffa uncovered man-made dodecahedrons dating to around 500 BC. The ceramics are made to contain stones from Tuscany, grounding the work in the region.
The 13 ceramics are positioned as the geometry of the Fruit of Life — one of the most potent patterns in sacred geometry, hidden within the Flower of Life. Generative geometries, written in code with AI and digitally mapped, pass fluidly from one stone to the next; watching them transform is akin to a mantra, and conveys unity and interconnectedness.
Shown at the Future Horizon gathering, Tuscany, 22–26 July 2024.
Interview
“Portal of Memory is a project where ancient and contemporary worlds coalesce. Etruscan sacred geometries form the backbone of the installation, embodying timeless principles of order and harmony found in nature. Through the magic of contemporary digital mapping, I project generative art visuals onto ceramic pieces, crafting a dynamic, kaleidoscopic experience.”
“Technology allows me to create visuals that showcase how from a simple circle, we can generate complex shapes inspired by sacred geometries such as the Seed of Life and the Fibonacci sequence. Observing the shapes transforming is akin to a mantra, fostering a meditative state. The geometries, mapped across 13 stones, convey unity and interconnectedness, fluidly passing from one stone to another, emphasizing the seamless flow of existence.”
“The AI-generated video component acts as a living extension of the physical ceramic pieces, which I refer to as ‘stones.’ The video projections, created using generative art software that interacts with stable diffusion, transform these static objects into dynamic entities. This interplay between the tangible and the digital encapsulates the project’s essence — melding the historic with the futuristic.”
“My engagement with the metaverse and web3 technologies has always been about exploring new dimensions of collective experience and consciousness. Portal of Memory extends this exploration by creating a space where ancient wisdom and modern technology converge, inviting participants to connect on a deeper, more subconscious level.”
“In Portal of Memory, time, perception, and parallel universes are expressed through the juxtaposition of ancient materials and contemporary digital art. The ceramic pieces symbolize a static, historical timeline, while the ever-changing digital projections represent the fluidity and multiplicity of perception and memory.”
“I hope attendees leave with a heightened sense of connection to both their personal and collective histories. The realization that memory and consciousness transcend individual existence is a key takeaway.”
“My vision of a symbiotic future envisions a world where technology and nature exist together in perfect harmony, each enhancing the other rather than causing any detriment. This ideal future sees digital advancements as tools that not only preserve but also celebrate our cultural heritage, fostering a richer understanding of our collective human experience.”
Interview for Future Horizon — a global community with a shared vision: to create the regenerative future.