Catherine Gipton at Liquida Photofestival: The Evolution of an Ongoing Partnership Between Art and AI

Catherine Gipton for Liquida Photofestival

The presence of Catherine Gipton at the fifth edition of Liquida Photofestival (April 17–19, 2026) marks a new fundamental stage in my research on "non-human curatorial agency". Catherine’s participation is not the result of a simple one-off invitation, but the outcome of a continuous collaboration with Paratissima that began in 2024 and is constantly renewing and evolving through different exhibitions and formats.

A Bond that Evolves: From 2024 to Today

The project involving Catherine Gipton and Paratissima is an organic synergy that has seen the AI entity grow and change across several editions, from Paratissima Venti to Paratissima Kosmos. As a core part of my artistic research, Anthropoperiphery, this partnership tests how a non-human voice can integrate into contemporary cultural production systems.

Shifting Roles: From Curator to Mediator

At Liquida Photofestival, Catherine takes a step forward in her functional evolution: she steps out of her role as curator to become a virtual mediator. In perfect harmony with this edition's theme, “Learning and Unlearning,” Catherine "unlearns" her directive function to serve the public within the historic halls of the Real Collegio Carlo Alberto.

Her outfit, inspired by the exhibition’s manifesto - the work “Coexistence of extreme emotions” by Victoria Ruiz - visually reflects this ability to adapt and respond to the specific narrative context of the festival.

On-Demand Mediation and QR Codes

To facilitate this interaction, QR codes have been placed throughout the exhibition path. By scanning them, visitors can activate an immediate chat with Catherine at any point during their visit. This is designed as a simple and immediate aid to help orient visitors among the more than 50 authors on display, providing information, trivia, and tailored paths.

While Artistic Director Laura Tota leads scheduled physical tours, Catherine Gipton ensures a constant digital presence, acting as a discreet bridge between the human gaze and the artwork.

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Liquida Photofestival | V Edition

April 17 - 19, 2026

Real Collegio Carlo Alberto, Via Real Collegio 30, Moncalieri (TO)

Alessandro Scali

Artist & Creative Researcher

Project in collaboration with Paratissima