UniSR at MIA Fair 2023 with a new implementation of the NEFFIE Metaverse

The Research Centre for Advanced Technology in Health and Well-Being of the San Raffaele Hospital and ICONE, the European Research Centre of History and Theory of Image of Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, in collaboration with ETT SpA, return to MIA Fair – Milan Image Art Fair, the most prestigious Italian fair entirely dedicated to the photographic image, from 23 to 26 March 2023 at the SUPERSTUDIO MAXI in Milan.

MIA Fair is one of the most eagerly awaited appointments on the Italian art scene, of which UniSR is a scientific partner: on the occasion of the 12th edition, UniSR will participate with an innovative and unprecedented implementation of the NEFFIE Metaverse, experimented in previous editions as part of the Neuroaesthetic Photography project, and a cycle of cultural talks dedicated to thinking on the relationship between photographic art and artificial intelligence.

In the course of 2022, the Metaverse was experienced by more than 500 people in the context of the first presentations of the NEFFIE Neuroaesthetic Photography project as a virtual exhibition space for so-called Cognitive Photographs (COFFIE): particular images produced by a technologically revisited photo booth that, through specific biosensors and an Artificial Intelligence algorithm, re-processes our emotional-cognitive responses in front of an image, giving rise to the Virtual Exhibition in real time as a contemporary re-actualisation of Franco Vaccari’s iconic wall in his Exhibition in real time no. 4: Leave a photographic sign of your passage on these walls, presented at the 1972 Venice International Art Biennale. The Cognitive Photographs produced during the four Real-Time Virtual Exhibitions in 2022 will be both physically displayed on the walls of the NEFFIE stand and digitally interconnected in its new Metaverse, this year implemented as a dynamic and immersive environment thanks to the collaboration with ETT.

Specifically, the virtual environment designed by ETT SpA – leading company in Digital Innovation part of the SCAI Group – on the Spatial.io platform allows an immersive enjoyment of NEFFIE’s digital artworks, enriched by the possibility of interacting in real time with other visitors through their avatars: up to 50 users can move freely among the artworks, communicating with each other through the activation of microphones and webcams. Accessible via a link from one’s own desktop, IOS or Android smartphone, or Virtual Reality visor, the new Metaverse is configured as a “real time” experiential laboratory that gives life to renewed immersive, interactive and inclusive creative horizons, capable of generating an increasingly widespread and shared awareness of our neuro-aesthetic experiences and thus contributing to the Health of the Human Being understood as a state of physical, emotional and relational Well-Being.

Engineer Alberto Sanna, both author and director of the Research Center Advanced Technology in Health and Well-Being of IRCSS San Raffaele Hospital, and Francesca Pola, associate professor of Contemporary Art History at the Faculty of Philosophy Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, and art-historical curator of the NEFFIE project with ICONE, the European Research Center in History and Theory of the Image of Vita-Salute San Raffaele University directed by Andrea Tagliapietra, comment:

“The fruitful interdisciplinary collaboration between the Research Centre for Advanced Technology in Health and Well-Being and the European Research Centre for History and Theory of the Image ICONE, in partnership with the technological and digital expertise offered by ETT S.p.A, offers the possibility of exploring our stratified techno-aesthetic horizon as a place of creative experimentation of avant-garde technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse and NFT: crucial horizons for a possible evolution of human, experiential and artistic relations, in a key that can be increasingly participatory, relational and conscious”.

One of the highlights of MIA Fair is the rich cultural programme that, during the opening days of the event, will organise meetings, conferences, and talks on some of the most topical issues in the field of art and photography.

As in previous years, UniSR will take part in the “Art&Science” format with three appointments dedicated to thinking on the relationship between photographic art and artificial intelligence.

These are the appointments:

• Friday 24 March at 4.30 p.m. will explore the theme ‘Artificial Hell: between word and image’ with Mario Peserico, CEO Eberhard Italia; Riccardo Boccuzzi, artist; Raffaele Ariano, researcher and professor in History of Contemporary Philosophy and History and Sociology of Arts and Communication UniSR, moderated by Francesca Pola
• Friday 24 March at 6.00 p.m. the appointment is with ‘Living the post-human: reflections in art’ with the participation of Giuseppe Lo Schiavo, artist; Alessandro Rossi, researcher and professor in History of Modern Art UniSR, moderated by  Alberto Sanna
• Sunday 26 March at 5.30 p.m. last appointment with ‘From Franco Vaccari’s wall (1972) to the NEFFIE Metaverse (2023)’; speakers: Alberto Sanna and Francesca Pola

The events are free of charge with obligatory booking while places are available. Download the Cultural Programme and book your place at the events on the MIA Fair website.

Cover photo credit: © Centre for Advanced Technology in Health and Well-Being