Perceptual Expanses: Skygolpe’s ‘Third Dimension’
Since 2021, the art world has undergone a significant transformation marked by the blending of digital and physical mediums—a shift redefining the concept of contemporary art. Amidst this evolution, Skygolpe has emerged as a pivotal figure, transitioning from digital roots to the affirmation of physical works within the contemporary art scene. Skygolpe embodies, with his artistic work, the profound shift that today’s visual languages are undergoing.
The “Third Dimension” solo exhibition by Skygolpe, curated by Giuseppe Moscatello and presented by Valuart, epitomizes this shift. Hosted at the Foundry in Dubai from November 15, 2023, to January 7, 2024, it is not just an art showcase but a journey into the complexities of human perception and emotion encompassing a spectrum of experiences from the past to the envisioned future.
In ‘Third Dimension,’ Skygolpe’s canvases combine texture, form, and color to move between the physical and the digital, revealing the complexity of a research journey that spans multiple media from painting to photography, to digital works. These pieces seem to engage in a continuous and connected conversation between technological advancements and human experience, mirroring the digital age’s imprint on our collective and individual psyche.
From Digital Genesis to Physical Art: The Evolution of Skygolpe
The interdisciplinary evolution of Skygolpe serves as a prelude to understanding the fundamental shift from digital to physical art. Beginning his journey in the vibrant streets of London, Skygolpe initially made his mark with street art, captivating audiences with his distinctive style. This period, characterized by raw, expressive works under another alias, laid the foundation for his unique artistic voice.
In 2012, a pivotal moment came with his return to Italy, marking a significant transition in his career. Moving away from large-scale street installations, Skygolpe began to pursue a more introspective approach, focusing on canvas and exploring the intersections of art with technology. This shift signified a deeper engagement with the theoretical aspects of art, moving away from the pragmatic immediacy of street art to a more nuanced and layered approach.
Skygolpe’s fascination with the evolving digital landscape, especially the rapidly expanding field of cryptocurrencies and NFT technology, further expanded his artistic vision. Merging his interest in technology with his art, he began to explore how these new tools could not only enhance but fundamentally transform the artistic process. An exploration, which led to a unique synthesis of philosophy, literature, digital art, and traditional painting.
This pivotal time period formed the backdrop to the radical transformation Skygolpe initiated in the contemporary art scene.
The transition from physical to digital art, then back to physical as embodied by Skygolpe, represents far more than a mere technical shift; it signifies a profound metamorphosis of art’s very essence. It challenges and redefines the boundaries of the art world, merging the tangible with the intangible, the physical with the digital.
In this transformative era, artworks become embodiments of dual realities. Though their foundation is digital, seemingly ethereal and intangible, they possess a tangible presence through multi-layered compositions. Skygolpe’s works exemplify this fusion, where the painterly mark, traditionally associated with physical art, finds new expression and depth by combining the digital realm — every piece becoming a symbol of the reconciliation between two seemingly disparate worlds.
Digital-Physical Symbiosis: Skygolpe’s “Paint on Pixel” Series
Skygolpe’s artistic journey finds its most personal and profound expression in the “Paint on Pixel” series. Debuted at Christie’s in 2022 and further expanded at Basel 2023, this series marks a significant milestone, blending digital and physical aspects of his new painting production. In”Third Dimension”, Skygolpe now unveils an array of new, never-before-seen pieces from the series, each delving deeper into his vision of blended realities.
Skygolpe, through “Paint on Pixel,” invites us to contemplate the canvas not just as a medium, but as a multidimensional space where reality and vision intersect. Curator Giuseppe Moscatello’s insight into Skygolpe’s work reveals this complexity: “For Skygolpe, a canvas acts as a gateway, a multifaceted system encompassing diverse elements, each depicted uniquely under specific technical paradigms. These elements feature distinct forms, dimensions, placements, and texture dynamics. His work merges digital and physical aspects and delves deeply into philosophical domains. His hallmark silhouette, frequently appearing with indistinct, disintegrating borders, morphs into an abstract structure that gradually assumes prominence within the artwork.”
The artworks showcased at “Third Dimension” embody a journey into the intricacies of human perception and consciousness. Skygolpe’s hallmark silhouettes, with their indistinct and disintegrating borders, represent the fluid nature of identity and reality in the digital age. They morph into abstract structures, gradually assuming prominence, and in doing so, they mirror the gradual evolution of our understanding of self and the world in an era defined by technological advancement.
“Paint on Pixel” is Skygolpe’s visual representation of the layered and complex relationship between the tangible and intangible, the physical and the digital. It is an artistic exploration that questions and redefines the boundaries of what constitutes art, pushing us to reconsider our relationship with the evolving digital landscape.
In this exhibition, Skygolpe lays out a vision of the future of art: a future where art serves as a bridge between different realms of existence, challenging the traditional boundaries and expanding our understanding of what it means to create and experience art in a world where the lines between the real and the virtual are increasingly blurred.
Redefining Perception: Skygolpe’s AI- Photographic series
In Skygolpe’s “Third Dimension” exhibition, a standout component is the AI-photographic series.
At the heart of this series lies the unique fusion of visual representation with underlying technological processes. Each image, transcending the role of traditional photography, invites the audience to engage not only with the subject matter but also with the complex algorithms and artificial intelligence that brought these works to life. This duality in Skygolpe’s art enriches the viewing experience, offering a layered perspective that goes beyond the immediate visual appeal.
What sets these photographs apart is their ability to intertwine technological intricacy with artistic expression. As viewers delve into these images, they uncover the hidden layers of AI-driven creativity, revealing the hidden dialogue between technology and art. This exploration prompts a deeper understanding and appreciation of the artworks, as they embody not just visual beauty but also the technological prowess behind them.
Skygolpe’s use of AI reinterprets the concept of the ready-made in art. These AI-generated images expand the horizons of artistic creation, challenging and redefining notions of authenticity and originality. Such innovation is a hallmark of Skygolpe’s vision, reflecting the dynamic evolution of art in our technologically advanced world. This approach not only pushes the boundaries of conventional art but also symbolizes a harmonious blend of the tangible and intangible, the real and the virtual.
Through this series, Skygolpe displays the immense potential of AI in transforming artistic expression, inviting the audience to reconsider the boundaries and possibilities of art in the digital age.
Art as a Dialogue of Existence: Third Dimension’s Impact
Skygolpe’s “Third Dimension” contains a profound philosophical undercurrent: art as a mirror of the evolving human consciousness in the digital era. In the age of digital omnipresence, this exhibition isn’t just a confluence of artistic techniques; it’s a reflection of the way we perceive and understand reality.
It is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between human cognition and digital innovation. Every piece within this showcase can be seen as a metaphor for the human mind grappling with and adapting to the exponential changes brought about by digital technology. In this sense, Skygolpe’s art transcends physical and digital boundaries, becoming a visual representation of the modern psyche.
The AI-photographic series, for instance, poses profound questions about the nature of creation, perception, and reality. In a world where AI can create art that resonates emotionally with humans, Skygolpe challenges us to reconsider our definitions of creativity and consciousness. His work prompts a re-evaluation of the boundaries between human and machine-generated art, reflecting the increasingly intertwined relationship between human thought and artificial intelligence.
Just as these artworks exist at the intersection of the physical and digital, human consciousness today is a blend of traditional sensory experiences and digital interactions. Skygolpe’s art captures this duality, reflecting the complex, layered nature of contemporary human experience.
In light of this, viewers are invited to engage not just with the art but with the deeper questions it poses about their own place in a rapidly evolving age of information. By engaging with this exhibition, one engages with the fundamental questions of what it means to be human in an age where the digital and physical are inextricably linked.
If you are in Dubai, discover the exhibition at Foundry:
https://foundry.downtowndubai.ae/events/third-dimension/
fakewhale
Founded in 2021, Fakewhale advocates the digital art market's evolution. Viewing NFT technology as a container for art, and leveraging the expansive scope of digital culture, Fakewhale strives to shape a new ecosystem in which art and technology become the starting point, rather than the final destination.
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