*Portal of Memory* is a collaborative project by artists Elena Pelosi and Florencia S.M. Brück that seamlessly blends the ancient with the contemporary. The installation features ceramic pieces crafted by Elena, serving as canvases for the generative art geometries created by Florencia. These geometries are digitally mapped onto the ceramics, transforming them into dynamic, interactive art pieces.
The ceramic shapes are inspired by Platonic Solids, a concept known to the Etruscan civilization. During excavations on Monte Loffa near Padua, Italy, archaeologists discovered man-made dodecahedrons dating back to around 500 BC. These artifacts, likely used as toys or in games, demonstrate the Etruscans’ knowledge of Platonic Solids. This historical connection inspired the use of these geometric shapes in the project, adding depth and resonance. The ceramics are designed to contain stones from Tuscany, collected by the artist, grounding the project in the region’s rich cultural heritage.
“Portal of Memory” invites participants to engage with both the physical and digital elements of the installation. The 13 ceramics, positioned as the geometry of the Fruit of Life, stand out as one of the most potent patterns in sacred geometry, often referred to as the ‘Holy of Holies’ due to its hidden placement within the renowned Flower of Life. The generative art geometries, created using code in collaboration with AI and digital mapping techniques, transform these static objects into dynamic entities.
The visuals continuously evolve, symbolizing the fluid nature of memory and time. Observing the shapes transform is akin to a mantra, fostering a meditative interaction for the audience, conveying the idea of unity and interconnectedness, fluidly passing from one stone to another, emphasizing the seamless flow of existence. "Io sono una pietra. Lo ripeto sono una pietra. So che non potete capirmi. /I am a stone. I repeat: a stone. I know you cannot understand me”: This opening line from "Essere pietra" by Italo Calvino encapsulates the essence of the project. Stones hold a temporal value within their material, keeping the memory of their journey.
