By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Nov 14, 2024 / 13:50 pm
Catholic cardinals this week delved into the world of virtual reality at the premiere of an innovative art exhibit for the 2025 Jubilee Year, showcasing contemporary art inspired by artificial intelligence.
The exhibit, titled “Interconnected Hearts: Taiwan Contemporary Art Exhibition 2024,” is hosted at the Republic of China’s Embassy to the Holy See, just steps away from St. Peter’s Square. It features art created by three Taiwanese artists using cutting-edge technologies such as 3D scanning, virtual reality (VR), machine learning, and AI.
Among the first to experience the VR headsets at the exhibit’s premiere on Nov. 11 was 84-year-old Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, the pope’s special delegate to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, the prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education, described the art exhibition as “intriguing and extremely innovative.”
Using VR headsets by META, Tolentino experienced a piece by Hung Yu Hao, which digitally unites architectural elements from Taiwan and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The immersive experience offered a unique perspective on the fusion of traditional and modern art forms.
Welcome to a unique and innovative art exhibit at Peter’s Square, where creativity meets artificial intelligence in a shared virtual space. This groundbreaking event was sponsored by Taiwan’s embassy to the Holy See as a testament to Pope Francis’ dedication to exploring the ethical implications of AI. The exhibit showcases works of art that blend human genius with cutting-edge technology, creating a mesmerizing experience for all who attend.
Cardinal Tolentino and Cardinal Tomasi recently donned VR headsets at the Republic of China’s Embassy to the Holy See, immersing themselves in a world where art and technology converge. Ambassador Matthew Lee highlighted Taiwan’s role as a leader in AI technology, with a commitment to transforming the country into an “AI Island.” President Lai Ching-te’s vision for Taiwan’s future is one driven by innovation and ingenuity.
The exhibit, running through Feb. 14, 2025, has been officially recognized as a jubilee cultural event by the Dicastery for Evangelization. The Chinese title of the exhibition, ‘心信相連,’ symbolizes the deep connection between faith and God, inspiring unwavering trust in the divine. Artists from Taiwan showcased their 3D printed artworks, demonstrating the power of human-AI collaboration in the world of art.
As the Vatican embraces new technology, it remains vigilant about the ethical implications of AI. This art exhibit serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical considerations in the digital age. Join us at Peter’s Square for a one-of-a-kind experience that blends tradition with innovation, art with technology, and faith with creativity.
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