Jeffrey Shaw is one of the most important artists in new media art. He has been active since the 1960s and is an international leader in expanded cinema, virtual and augmented reality, immersive environments, interactive narratives and much else. Shaw is held in high regard, above all, for his visionary perspective, as someone who has experienced technology over a long period of time, lived through all its transformations, metabolised it with great clarity of thought and transformed it into works or curatorial projects.
Restrictions resulting from the pandemic have, in some cases, led to more opportunities, such as being able to listen to the voice of this great artist online on the occasion of his invitation to MEET the Media Guru. This is a platform for the connection of ideas, from which the international centre of Digital Culture, MEET, was founded in Milan in 2018, in collaboration with the Fondazione Cariplo, with the aim of promoting awareness of the creative potential of technology.
The mission of this centre, both important and inspirational, is based on “the conviction that innovation, even before being technological, is a cultural fact and that the spread of digital culture favours the growth of the economy, as well as opportunities and the wellbeing of all citizens. MEET explores and narrates people, languages, creative ideas and innovative projects through a series of initiatives – on life, online and on site – including meetings, exhibitions, training sessions, performances and experiences that put the individual at the centre of technological change.
Now it is Jeffrey Shaw’s turn, an important voice on the topic who will guide the audience through his 50-year career, including the work for which he is well-known, namely the iconic image on Pink Floyd’s Animals album – an inflatable pig flying over Battersea power station.
Listening to him means going on a journey through time. In line with MEET’s mission, the focus of the meeting will mainly be on the potential of technology and techniques for generating “new imaginary, collaborative practices and an awareness of cultural histories”. As we listen we will imagine ourselves in the new headquarters at Porta Venezia, an early 20th century building redesigned as a new media space by Carlo Ratti.
Jeffrey Shaw at Meet the Media Guru, March, 31st, 6p.m.
The appointment with Jeffrey Shaw happens within the track Digital Arts in Virtual Reality
of the program In real, in web, in world conceived and produced by MEET. In order to participate, you can apply here.
