The Eye of Mexico
The Eye of Mexico is a 2022 street sculpture in Mexico City and the first work of art in Latin America to use artificial intelligence. Installed on 20 May 2022 in the Neuchatel Quadrant Polanco mixed-use development, it stands on a pedestal as a ring more than 10 meters high and 3 meters wide. Made of stainless steel, it contains 50 LED screens. The AI system uses demographic and urban data about the city to create continuously changing videos that reflect the “energy of Mexico.” The sculpture was developed by OUCHHH for MIRA, with MASSIVart and Hines involved, and is owned by Ivanhoé Cambridge. It won a 2023 Media Architecture Biennale Award for spatial media art.
November 2022 © Tbhotch · CC BY-SA 4.0
November 2022 © Tbhotch · CC BY-SA 4.0
August 2022 © Tbhotch · CC BY-SA 4.0
Identification | |
| Title | The Eye of Mexico |
| Alternative name | Eye of Mexico; Eye of Mexico City; El Ojo de México |
| Type | Street sculpture; outdoor sculpture |
Historical context | |
| Year created | 2022 |
| Installation date | 20 May 2022 |
| Artistic significance | According to MIRA, it was the first artwork in Latin America to use artificial intelligence |
Creator | |
| Artist | Ferdi Alıcı |
| Artist nationality | Turkish |
| Created by | MIRA and MASSIVart |
| Development company | OUCHHH |
| Other contributor | Hines |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Selection process | Chosen through a competition announced by MASSIVart |
| Competition submissions | More than 350 applications; 350 proposals from artists from 35 countries, including 78 from Mexico and 263 from other countries |
Physical characteristics | |
| Width | 3 meters |
| Height | More than 10 meters |
| Form | Ring mounted on a pedestal |
Materials | |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Display elements | 50 LED screens |
Technique | |
| Technology used | Artificial intelligence algorithms |
| Data input | Environmental, demographic, and urban data about Mexico City |
Appearance | |
| Video output | Constantly changing video clips |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Conceptual theme | The videos are said to reflect the "energy of Mexico" and relate to arts, science, and technology |
Location and ownership | |
| Location | Neuchâtel Quadrante Polanco, Ampliación Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico |
| Site developer | Ivanhoé Cambridge |
| Owner | Ivanhoé Cambridge investment company |
| Situated at | Neuchâtel Polanco mixed-use development |
History and restoration | |
| Inauguration date | 20 May 2022 |
Significance | |
| Award | Winner of the 2023 Media Architecture Biennale award in the category "Spatial Media Art" |