ARTIST IGNITE SOS FLARE FOR JOINT FUTURE WITH HUMANOID ROBOT

STORY
At the stroke of midnight marking the start of the UN International Day of Light, the Italian city of Brixen (Bressanone) in South Tyrol witnessed a striking artistic performance. A series of SOS torches was ignited by renowned Italian artist Stefano Cagol, symbolizing a global call to give attention to the future relationship between robot and human.

“I think in this case, International Day of Light is giving us a big big eye opener for, an issue, what is coming in the next years.” says Werner Zanotti, Curator.

In a bold gesture, Cagol invited a humanoid robot to join him in his signature SOS torch performance, held in front of Brixen’s grand cathedral. The piece, titled “We Own the Futures,” explored the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent machines.

“So with the robot, I will share my time, my space,” says Stefano Cagol, Artist.

In the global context has forinstance Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced plans to mass-produce up to 500,000 Optimus humanoid robots annually by 2027. According to Investors Business Daily, projections suggest 134 million humanoid robots by 2040, and over 1 billion by 2050.

As humanoid robots become more present in everyday life, public reactions range from awe to unease. Cagol’s work embraces this tension, seeking to establish a “circle of trust” between human and machine — a kind of mystical ceremony involving light, fire, and reflection.

“We have this kind of technological revolution”, continuous Stefano Cagol, Artist. “So we need to face it. We need to think about it. We need to balance. “ 

At a time when humanity is rapidly reshaping its relationship with technology, the new Pope Leo XIV recently addressed the role of artificial intelligence, emphasizing both its risks and transformative potential.

“They’re going to change the whole life on Earth. I don’t think we know what’s coming in the next years. So this is a dystopic moment, and I think Stefano’s artwork is very important — exactly now”, ends Werner Zanotti, Curator

The performance visualized both the possibilities and the uncertainties of the relationship and how the future will be shared. Surrounded by SOS firelight and a glowing red atmosphere, the performance ended with Cagol and the robot gazing up at the Sun, as footage from NASA was projected onto the cathedral  looking at the “futures” together.

“We will have a kind of mystical ceremony with fire, with a circle of light. We will look at the sun, the stars — in a kind of message of hope and peace.”
says Stefano Cagol

The torches, visible up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the Cathedral Square (Piazza Duomo), lit up the historic center of Brixen/Bressanone in a spectacle of red light.

Cagol’s performance was created exclusively for this day and will not be repeated.
Brixen invites light artists annually to mark the UNESCO-led International Day of Light, now in its 16th edition.
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