Signal to the Future. The Signal as a Planetary Language by Italian Cultural Institute Zurich

Signal to the Future. The Signal as a Planetary Language by Italian Cultural Institute Zurich

Whether in an Alpine or urban setting, Stefano Cagol views the signal as a universal language that transcends political, geographical, and symbolic borders. In his public space projects, the Italian artist combines light, ritual, and technology to create stunning scenes through which he demonstrates the global reach and societal relevance of contemporary art. This book focuses on Cagol’s central performances in Brixen, Wolfsburg, and Cairo, among other places. With the aid of critical essays and through numerous images, these performances are situated within the overarching context of an oeuvre shaped by the pressing debates of the Anthropocene age and the resulting limits to what the planet can withstand.

Stefano Cagol is an Italian contemporary artist whose practice explores the relationship between human activity, energy, environmental transformation, and geopolitical borders. Working through performances, installations, video, and site‑specific actions, his work addresses the ecological and symbolic dimensions of global change. He has participated in major international exhibitions and biennials, and his work has been presented in museums, public spaces, and remote environments across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Arctic regions.