From ‘The School of Athens’ to ‘The Singularity’ – The Story Of Human Progress
Tracing humanity’s quest to balance innovation with the fear of the unknown!
And what’s up with those critical voices in your head?
This show journeys through time to explore how humans have always grappled with the double-edged sword of progress. From the musings of ancient philosophers debating the best form of government, to the anxieties of industrialization, scientific advancement, consumerism and the digital age.
This exhibit invites viewers to see today’s fears of AI and automation, in the context of the long-standing human story. Through art, we will attempt to connect Socratic dialogue, your ancestors’ resilience, my grandfather’s and father’s history of responding to change, to modern concerns about machine intelligence, showing that while both technologies and the inner critic in our head evolve, they also guide our questions about purpose, identity, and survival. This anxiety can freeze us or motivate us to be the best version yet of homo sapiens sapiens.
Grandfather’s Era…… Lost Generation….. Frank ……. Railroad – Gandydancer
-The zampogna playing boy shepherd, realizing the lack of opportunity in
Calabria, Italy, and the Freedom in USA, ignited his quest to immigrate to
Taylor Street, “to plant his seed in more fertile soil.”
– The railroad, the disrupting technology of the day, created new jobs, opportunity.
Father’s Era …….. Greatest Generation ….. Dominick……….. Neon Glass Artisan
-Great Depression
-World War II, US Navy Air Force, PBY-Catalina: Flight Engineer, 50 Caliber
Machine gunner, Anti U-Boat Operations, Caribbean, South Atlantic, North Atlantic
-Consumerism and Post War Industrialization create Neon Sign Industry
Oil & Acrylic Painting, Sculpture, Buon Fresco, Video, Film, Neon Art and an interactive wall for visitors to share their insights.
Thank you to the Palette and Chisel instructors/mentors; Ralph Cossentino (who encouraged me to come to my first class), Helen Oh (who guides me through the history of western art), Andrew Conklin, Lenin Delsol, Stuart Fullerton. Thinking about that ephemeral communal flow state we experience, every time in class, as you meet us where we are at, then guide us toward what we could be, individually. Shout out to Bill and all the hard-working staff, and models, who guided the Palette thru the uncertainty of the Pandemic, with style. And to the classmates, friends I have met the past few years, you have enhanced my life!
