New York - Digital artist Refik Anadol's AI-driven immersive exhibition, "Living Memory: Messi - A Goal in Life," will be on display at Rockefeller Center from July 12-22.
The artwork uses artificial intelligence to transform Lionel Messi's iconic 2009 UEFA Champions League final goal into an ultra-high-definition artistic experience. The exhibition is free to the public.
The piece will be auctioned from July 8-22, with proceeds benefiting non-profit organizations, including the Inter Miami CF Foundation and its global partnership with UNICEF. This collaboration supports quality educational programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Anadol's work captures the emotional and multisensory aspects of the moment. He used open-source motion tracking to map Messi's body, reconstructing his form and kinetic expression.
The artist incorporated biometric data, including voice, breathing patterns, heart rates, and emotional nuances from interviews, creating a sound composition reflecting the footballer's physical and emotional state. The result is an eight-minute "temple of memory" rendered in 16K resolution.
Messi expressed his honor in joining the Inter Miami Foundation for a good cause. He added that the project is special to him, commemorating a key moment in his career and contributing to improving the lives of those in need.
Anadol explained that the core of the work lies in the "architecture of action." He transformed data from Messi's favorite goal into living memory, creating a pioneering artistic experience.
The exhibition explores the intersection of sports, AI, and collective memory, turning data into sensations and memories into architecture. It allows the public to experience a historical moment in football.