The 2025 edition of the Marmomac Best Communicator Award was held yesterday in Verona, as part of the leading exhibition dedicated to the techno-lapid supply chain, Marmomac, running at Veronafiere until Sept. 26. The award, given annually to personalities from the world of culture, art and international design who distinguish themselves in the promotion of natural stone, featured Maurizio Cattelan, who this year participated in the Seasons exhibition in Bergamo with two works made of Carrara marble. The artist was unable to be physically present at the ceremony, but he found an original way to collect the award: an anthropomorphic robot, made by Robotor, a company specializing in robotics applied to sculpture, sculpted in less than 48 hours a Carrara marble bust reproducing Cattelan’s face.
The sculpture then symbolically picked up the prize in the artist’s place, accompanied by a time-lapse video account of the processing stages, enhanced by a commentary by the artist sent from New York. The video, conceived as an extension of the art project, documents the transformation of matter and the dialogue between human creativity and robotic technology.
“I am sincerely flattered,” says the artist through a comment sent from New York. “Not being able to be there in person, I decided to send my head sculpted by a robot. It seems to me the most convenient way to be there without making too long a speech. I thank the jury, the audience ... and also the robot that is literally shaping me right now. I hope this head will find a nice place at the fair, maybe near the bar, so you can talk to her directly if you have questions. I, meanwhile, will take the credit.”
The Marmomac Best Communicator Award jury recognized the artist’s ability to combine artistic reflection and advanced technology, emphasizing the communicative and symbolic impact of his works. The decision to use robotics to produce a sculpture representing the artist himself highlights the convergence of technological innovation and artistic practice, confirming the role of marble not only as a traditional material but also as a contemporary medium.
In addition to Cattelan, other protagonists of design and visual culture were honored. South Tyrolean architect Hannes Peer received the award for his Crash installation, while Paolo Stella, lifestyle influencer and creative director of @suonarestella, was honored in connection with the launch of the COM|PLE|MEN|TARE and POR|TAN|TE furniture lines. The 2025 edition of the award also celebrated the anniversary of a work of great historical significance in the contemporary art scene: Yuri Ancarani received the anniversary special mention for the short film Il Capo, made entirely in the Gemeg quarries and presented at the 67th Venice International Film Festival.
The work, produced 15 years ago, continues to influence international artistic debate, confirming the longevity and cultural impact of film projects related to natural stone. Cattelan’s choice to send a bust sculpted by a robot also symbolizes a change in the way works are enjoyed and presented: technology does not replace the artist, but extends the communicative possibilities, creating a direct dialogue between work, audience and creative process. The time-lapse video story, accompanied by comments posted by the artist, itself becomes a work, showing how digital documentation can acquire artistic value and contribute to the narrative of the physical work.
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| Maurizio Cattelan receives an award, but to collect it he sends ... a portrait of himself done by a robot |
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