PhotoVogue Festival: “What Makes Us Human? Image in the Age of AI”
November 16th, 2023 to November 19th, 2023
BASE Milano
Via Bergognone, 34, 20144 Milano MI, Italy
The PhotoVogue Festival returns for its eighth edition, celebrating the fusion of ethics and aesthetics. The festival will run from November 16th to 19th at BASE Milano. The theme of the eighth edition is “What makes us human? Image in the age of AI” through the exhibitions, talks, and A. I Symposium, the festival explores the profound impact of artificial intelligence in image making. The event is free of charge.
Since its’ beginning, The PhotoVogue Festival has been committed to diving deeper into ethically and aesthetically essential themes, ranging from the female gaze to masculinity and inclusivity. Building on last year’s exploration of how the saturation of images influences our understanding of experiences and reactions to events, the upcoming PhotoVogue Festival in Milan will thoroughly examine the profound impact of artificial intelligence (A.I.) on human existence and the creation of images, to address the ethical, aesthetic, and political implications raised by this revolutionary technology.
THE EXHIBITIONS:
WHAT IS BEAUTY?
In its previous Open Calls, the PhotoVogue festival has recognized the female perspective, sought out emerging fashion photographers, underscored diversity both behind and in front of the lens, delved into masculinity, reinterpreted history, and persistently countered homogenized depictions and stereotypes. Furthering its mission to foster a fairer and more inclusive society via visual understanding, PhotoVogue has invited artists globally to present their work that redefines conventional concepts of beauty.
WHAT IS BEAUTY/A.I
Showcasing 13 artists recognized by the jury for their A.I.-produced image entries, this exhibit explores the festival’s central theme, “What Makes Us Human? Image in the Age of A.I.” Though different from conventional photography, these pieces highlight the link between technology and human creativity, prompting thoughtful reflection on A.I.’s vast potential in transforming the realm of art and its influence on human inspiration in this digital age.
UNCANNY ATLAS: IMAGE IN THE AGE OF A.I
This exhibit seeks to map the contours of this emerging world. It delves into the ways A. I revolutionize not just image creation but also our perceptions of photography and, by extension, reality. Primarily, the display encourages dialogue at the crossroads of numerous interpretations of predominantly uncharted territory. Surrounding the few recognized territories lie vast, unexplored regions shrouded in mystery.
ETERNAL LOOPS
Within this video exhibition, the thirteen showcased artists guide us further into this paradigm. Their creations evoke surreal narratives, sometimes bordering on the eerie, that balance between the known and the innovative. These modern visual allegories intertwine with iconic images from our shared history. This ensuing feeling of recognition carries an unsettling nuance, a fundamental element of the artistic strategy employed by these creators.
SPANISH WOMEN:
A CONTEMPORARY PORTRAIT OF STRENGTH AND BEAUTY
This exhibition celebrates the results of PhotoVogue’s debut Open Call in Spain done in collaboration with PHotoESPAÑA, the country’s most prestigious photography festival. PhotoVogue and Vogue Spain called upon artists from around the globe to submit their works, defying conventional norms and presenting fresh visual narratives.
CONDÉFUTURE
The festival will feature selected works from CondéFuture students, a new global initiative that aims to inspire and nurture future generations of multimedia creative talent, led by Condé Nast’s creative and editorial teams. Launched in New York City in 2021 in partnership with the non-profit organization Educational Alliance, the program targets high school students from underrepresented communities, providing a free, two-year enrichment and mentorship program led by talent within the Condé Nast community.
EYE MAMA
On the evening of the 16th, an engaging conversation will take place as part of the festival’s enriching program. Attendees will engage in thought-provoking dialogue with Karni Arieli, a photographer and director renowned for founding the transformative Eye Mama movement alongside several contributors to the Eye Mama book. This discussion aligns seamlessly with the festival’s theme, “What Makes Us Human.” In addition to the conversation, a slideshow of images from the Eye Mama book will be on view in the exhibition space during the festival.
THE SYMPOSIUM:
The panels will take place on November 17-19th at BASE Milano and will be available on the PhotoVogue website. Speakers include Refik Anadol, Giacomo Rizzolatti, Fred Ritchin, Michael Christopher Brown, Mutale Nkonde, Charles Traub, Charlie Engman, Carlijn Jacobs, Bryan Huynh, Ferdinando Verderi, Filippo Venturi, Margaret Zhang, Alessandra Sala, Mel McVeigh, Lydia Mendola, among others.
At the Festival, there will be a screening showcasing the Shortlisted Projects of the PhMuseum 2023 Women Photographers Grant that aims to empower the work and careers of female and non-binary professionals, support the growth of the new generations, and promote stories narrated by female perspective while responding to the need to work for gender equality in the industry.
PhotoVogue Festival is a project directed by Alessia Glaviano (Head of Global PhotoVogue) and co-curated by Francesca Marani (Senior Photo Editor, Vogue Italia), Chiara Bardelli Nonino (Editor, Writer, and Curator), Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo (Content Operations & Strategy Manager, Condé Nast) and Caterina De Biasio (Visual Editor, PhotoVogue).
