This multimedia work explores the intersection of art and science, the impact of AI, and its ethical, social, and cultural implications. The Sibyl project investigates these dynamics through multimedia works, transforming scientific data into creative material. The artist does not merely represent the data but reinterprets it to stimulate new reflections and offers an alternative understanding of the studied scientific phenomena, creating a connection that goes beyond logic, reaching the emotional sphere.
For this work, a third figure joined GlitchAV: Vincenzo De Novellis, a geologist with a passion for guitar, holding a PhD in volcanology and working as a senior researcher in geophysics. The product presented has been discussed at several international scientific conferences, including the EGU General Assembly (14–19 April 2024, Vienna, Austria), the AGU General Assembly (9–14 December 2024, Washington, USA), and Geology for a Sustainable Management of our Planet (3–5 September 2024, Bari, Italy), as well as in numerous outreach seminars.
The uniqueness of these intersecting skills has naturally led us to recover that “Renaissance Vision” in which art and science were not conceived as separate disciplines but as complementary aspects of human knowledge, capable of nurturing and enhancing each other.
The work highlights the potentials and risks of AI, emphasizing the importance of a critical approach. The central concept is the creation of a “new Sibyl,” an imaginary figure of artificial intelligence that becomes a reference point for scientists and artists. The project, set in the Phlegraean Fields (a volcanic area near Naples, Italy) and inspired by the Cumaean Sibyl (an ancient oracle of that area), explores the human-machine relationship and its impact on scientific research, artistic expression, and daily life.
The compositional methodology integrates three key elements:
- 1. Algorithmic sound synthesis based on geological data of earthquakes in the Campi Flegrei area obtained using the Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) technique from 2018 to 2023, based on Sentinel-1 SAR measurements.
- 2. Traditional orchestral elements.
- 3. Video content created by both the author and AI, culminating in a multimedia performance.
The project blends original music, created using both traditional and algorithmic techniques, with visual elements produced through the collaboration between humans and AI. This dialogue between art and science becomes a powerful tool for dissemination and innovation, offering new creative opportunities that, however, require a conscious and structured approach.