Get ready to witness the future of art and technology collide in the heart of Manhattan! The Onassis Foundation is shaking things up with the expansion of its experimental art and tech studio, Onassis ONX, into a brand-new, larger space in Tribeca. But here's where it gets exciting: this isn’t just a move—it’s a bold statement about the evolving relationship between creativity and cutting-edge technology. And this is the part most people miss: how this shift is redefining what art can be in the digital age.
Since its inception in 2020, Onassis ONX has been a beacon for artists pushing the boundaries of mediums like extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence (AI), and performance art. Operating from its original location at 645 Fifth Avenue, the studio has fostered collaborations with prestigious institutions such as the Lincoln Center, Pioneer Works, and the MIT Open Documentary Lab. Now, with its relocation to a 6,000-square-foot suite on the fourth floor of 390 Broadway—sharing space with renowned galleries like PPOW and Matthew Brown Gallery—Onassis ONX is doubling down on its mission to empower artists with state-of-the-art tools.
The new space is a tech enthusiast’s dream, equipped with a larger motion-capture stage, a three-wall seamless projection room, an expanded sound studio featuring a high-fidelity system, and upgraded computational infrastructure, including a new server dedicated to AI and generative media. These facilities are designed to help artists explore uncharted territories in their work, blending traditional art forms with the latest technological advancements.
To celebrate its grand reopening in January, Onassis ONX will debut the multimedia exhibition TECHNE: Homecoming. This thought-provoking showcase features works by artists like Andrew Thomas Huang (known for collaborations with Björk and FKA twigs), augmented reality pioneer Tamiko Thiel, and self-taught microbiologist Sister Sylvester. Together, they explore how identity is shaped by the intricate interplay of biology, mythology, and technology. But here’s the controversial part: as art becomes increasingly intertwined with technology, who gets to define what constitutes ‘art’? Is it the artist, the technology, or the audience?
Afroditi Panagiotakou, artistic director at the Onassis Foundation, sums it up beautifully: ‘Our move downtown represents both continuity and transformation. With this new, larger studio in Tribeca, we reaffirm our commitment to artists—offering them the tools, space, and community to create work that expands what art can be in the digital age.’ This expansion is part of a broader trend of art galleries and cultural spaces migrating to Tribeca, signaling the neighborhood’s emergence as a hub for innovation and creativity.
The move also follows the recent launch of Onassis Ready in Athens, Greece, another experimental cultural space housed in a former factory. Dubbed a ‘Factory of Dreams and Ideas,’ Onassis Ready opened in October with a mid-career survey of photographer Juergen Teller, in dialogue with the nearby flagship space, Onassis Stegi. And this is where it gets even more intriguing: by connecting Athens and New York through creativity and technological inquiry, the Onassis Foundation is challenging the traditional boundaries of art and culture. But is this global approach diluting local artistic identities, or is it fostering a richer, more interconnected creative landscape?
Panagiotakou emphasizes, ‘We offer artists the time, resources, and, most importantly, the freedom to choose when to use—and when not to use—advanced technologies to best serve their artistic vision.’ This philosophy underscores the Foundation’s belief in the artist’s autonomy, even as it provides them with cutting-edge tools. But here’s a question to ponder: In an era where technology can do almost anything, what role does human creativity truly play? Is the artist still the master, or is technology becoming the co-creator?
As Onassis ONX opens its doors in Tribeca, it invites not just artists but also the public to engage with these questions. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious about the future of creativity, this space promises to challenge, inspire, and provoke. So, what do you think? Is the fusion of art and technology a revolutionary leap forward, or are we losing something inherently human in the process? Let’s spark the conversation in the comments below!
