Essence United: Reflecting the 2024 ART+TECH Festival Across Borders
As founders of CODAME, we, Bruno Fonzi and Jordan Gray, like to make an annual reflection on the journey of CODAME has taken. The ART+TECH Festival 2024 was an ambitious experiment that unfolded across two dynamic cities: San Francisco and Milan. This year’s festival theme, Essence (exploring the core of ART+TECH connection, creativity, and innovation), took on extraordinary significance as artists and technologists from around the globe came together to forge physical and virtual connections.
San Francisco + Milan Together
San Francisco, a global hub for technological innovation, and Milan, a city renowned for its artistic heritage and design prowess, provided the perfect stages for this unique cultural exchange. By hosting events in both cities, CODAME celebrated the rich diversity of these metropolises while fostering collaboration across continents.
The festival began in San Francisco with a gallery opening featuring live audiovisual performances. In addition to showcasing immersive installations and thought-provoking experiences, the month-long gallery installation at Gray Area was a platform for artist meet & greets as well as a nexus point crossing over into a wide range of cultural events. This partnership allowed us to share the CODAME vibe with everyone from music fans to technology conference attendees to community organizations, weaving a narrative of innovation and artistry into events at the multi-use venue in the heart of the Mission.
A curated selection of artists then journeyed to Milan, bringing their works, insights, and creative energy to Mare Culturale Urbano, an inspiring cultural hub. These cross-city exchanges spotlighted the intersection of art and technology and deepened the personal and professional ties between the two communities.
ART+TECH in Harmony
At its core, CODAME has always been about collaboration and experimentation. This year’s festival featured a stunning array of projects that further blurred the lines between the digital and physical worlds. From AI-generated art to sensor-driven installations, the works reflected the infinite possibilities when creativity meets cutting-edge technology.
CODAME artists DC Spensley and Yosun Chang from San Francisco joined us in Milan. San Francisco and Milan participants connected to co-create generative expressions of essence through the CODAME ART+TECH Festival virtual world. This piece exemplified our mission to explore the core of connection, offering a shared creative experience that spanned continents.
In-person + Virtual Connections
We blended in-person gatherings with virtual participation as hybrid events became the norm. Livestreams, VR galleries, and digital workshops made the festival accessible globally. However, the face-to-face interactions—the shared meals, hands-on collaborations, and spontaneous conversations—made this year’s festival truly special.
The arrival of San Francisco-based artists in Milan was a highlight. They engaged with local creators, shared their work, and drew inspiration from Milan’s vibrant artistic scene. These exchanges demonstrated our commitment to fostering genuine, human-centered connections across borders.
Looking Back + Ahead
The CODAME ART+TECH Festival 2024 was more than an event; it was an experiment, an experience, and a movement. By exploring the essence of connection and creativity, we challenged everyone to think beyond geographical and disciplinary borders and cultures. This event reminded us that the most meaningful innovations often emerge when diverse minds and perspectives come together.
Whether you joined us in San Francisco or Milan or tuned in from elsewhere, we hope this year’s festival inspired, provoked, and connected you. Together, we uncovered the essence of the future, one creative act at a time. We can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.
Stay Connected: For more updates, insights, and upcoming events, visit CODAME’s official website. Follow @CODAME on social media to continue the conversation. A Special Thanks to all the Artists and Volunteers who made the Festival happen!