In Venice, the city of timeless canals and historic grandeur, the Venice Biennale emerges as a global stage for contemporary art. Malta’s participation, though relatively recent, has consistently captivated audiences. This year, Matthew Attard’s installation, I Will Follow the Ship, stands prominently in Malta’s pavilion, meticulously curated by Elyse Tonna and Sara Dolfi Agostini, drawing onlookers into a profound narrative sculpted by history and modern technology.
CSAI’s Scientific Director, Dr. Angelo Dalli, visited the pavilion during the pre-opening, and described the installation:”Matthew Attard’s entry for Malta’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2024, I will follow the ship, explores old maritime graffiti etched onto Maltese chapels, using innovative eye-tracking technology and AI processing to create an immersive experience of how the human eye and our mind perceives the world as the artist uses his own eyes to examine the graffiti. Reconstituted stone panels are used to reimagine these ephemeral perceptual tracks in time and space, leaving behind an impression blending what the eye sees and how AI helps visualize it, giving us a glimpse into a future where human and machine perception can be merged together.”
This process not only preserves the fleeting moments of human interaction but also elevates them into a dynamic, evolving piece of art. Each viewer’s look adds to a collective, ongoing creation, making the installation a living entity that grows and changes throughout the exhibition. This interplay between observer and art underscores a future where technology extends beyond a tool, becoming an integral component of artistic expression and perception.
The choice of reconstituted stone as a medium bridges historical context and modern methodology, grounding the digital ephemera in a tangible, enduring form. These panels, etched with digital traces of viewer interactions, become modern artifacts themselves, poised to inspire future generations.
Attard’s installation not only showcases Malta’s rich maritime heritage and its engagement with cutting-edge technology but also sets a bold trajectory for the future of art. It challenges traditional boundaries and fosters a dialogue about the merging paths of human insight and artificial intelligence. This blend of past and present, etched into stone and powered by AI, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and innovation at the heart of Maltese culture.
Through I Will Follow the Ship, Matthew Attard not only represents Malta on the international stage but also pioneers a vision where art and technology coalesce, defining new realms of creative possibilities. This installation, melding narratives of sea-faring ancestors with the potential of modern technology, marks a significant chapter in Malta’s ongoing dialogue with the global art community at the Venice Biennale.
