What is NEXT?
NEXT is an initiative designed to encourage the interdisciplinary exploration of megatrends across the arts, science, and technology. Focusing on megatrends which affect society at large, the initiative is designed to support collaboration with forward-thinking artists and institutions committed to new forms of cultural production (visual arts, film, music, dance, etc) at the vanguard of scientific research and technological development – which are both drivers of progress and at the core of our thematic Next Generation approach.
Refik Anadol: ‘Glacier Dreams’ (2023)
For NEXT’s inaugural project, celebrated digital artist Refik Anadol was commissioned to explore digital disruption and artificial intelligence. His multi-sensory artwork ‘Glacier Dreams’ is based on a vast dataset of glacier images from around the world. After premiering at Art Dubai 2023 and subsequent displays in Singapore and Basel, ‘Glacier Dreams’ is permanently installed at Kunsthaus Zürich.
Krista Kim: ‘Heart Space’ (2024)
In collaboration with biotechnology company Tenbeo and commissioned by Julius Baer, Krista Kim’s ‘Heart Space’ was showcased at Art Dubai 2024. ‘Heart Space’ is an immersive experience that employs the power of AI to read individuals’ electrocardiograms, showing the heart’s electrical activity. The installation enables participants to connect with one another through the universal language of the human heartbeat.
Julien Charrière: ‘Controlled Burn’ (2024)
French-Swiss artist Julian Charrière’s ‘Controlled Burn’ was showcased at the Welsh Chapel during Frieze London 2024. This 4K film transports viewers from the universe’s origins 13 billion years ago to the modern industrial age, highlighting humanity’s evolving relationship with fossil fuels. Through the perspective of a first-person drone, the artwork balances reflection on our past with a vision for a sustainable future.