New Idols, 2024
Technology SuperCycle
Oil on circular panel, 110 cm | 43.3 inches diameter
“New Idols” by Eva Prada is a figurative representation of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) carrying humanity in its arms. Inspired by the latest advancements in robotics, particularly the Atlas robot from Boston Dynamics, the artwork delves into the profound uncertainties surrounding the rise of AGI as it transitions from the digital to the physical world. If 2024 was marked by the global race to dominate artificial intelligence, 2025 is set to become the “Year of the Robots”—a pivotal moment when AI begins to inhabit and influence the physical world.
This shift signals the start of a new era where AI moves beyond code and algorithms into tangible, dynamic entities capable of interacting with our reality. “New Idols” reflects this historic turning point, portraying a world grappling with the implications of AI stepping out of the virtual realm and into our everyday lives. The man cradled in the AGI’s arms represents humanity—vulnerable, passive, and unsure of what the future holds.
This ambiguous relationship reflects the ethical questions surrounding AGI: will it be our savior, guiding us to new heights, or our downfall, overwhelming us with unforeseen consequences? These questions mirror the broader fears and hopes tied to AI’s expanding influence, as it takes its first steps into reshaping the physical world.
Formally, this painting pays homage to two masterpieces of classical art: Caravaggio’s “The Deposition” and Michelangelo’s “Pietà.” Eva Prada uses meticulously painted draperies to carry all the religious iconographic weight, forging a visual and emotional connection with these timeless references. The drapery becomes a symbolic vessel, highlighting humanity’s search for meaning in an age of technological upheaval. The background is dominated by an emotive sunset, bathing the scene in warm, melancholic light. This use of color and light adds depth and beauty to the composition, while enhancing the uncertainty about the man’s state and the robot’s intentions.
This ambiguity serves as a parallel to our current reality, where technological advancement is accelerating faster than our understanding of its consequences. “New Idols” is both a meditation on the relationship between humanity and technology and a reflection on our growing dependence on machines. It is an invitation to consider how this dependence shapes our future and raises critical, unanswered questions about the role of AI as it begins to take its place in the physical world.
The Technology SuperCycle (series)
