Dario Buratti, a representative of Generation X, developed his creative identity in the rich cultural environment of the 1980s and 1990s. Educated in Milan at the Beato Angelico Institute of Art with a specialization in architecture, and later in set design at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, he rooted his vision in the cinematic, comic, musical, and literary aesthetics of science fiction.
His early inspirations came from cinematic milestones such as “Blade Runner” (1982), Ridley Scott’s dystopian masterpiece that defined the fusion between the human world and technology. Likewise, Katsuhiro Otomo’s animated film “Akira” (1988) contributed to shaping a post-apocalyptic vision in which Buratti immersed himself, exploring themes of mutation and urban decay.
As Buratti began frequenting spaces where cybernetics and human-machine interaction were emerging topics, he absorbed these influences and translated them into the digital world. Since the late 1990s, he has worked in 3D modeling, creating digital environments in early rudimentary metaverses. With the arrival of Second Life, his creative career accelerated, and he evolved into a Metaverse Architect. In the metaverse, Buratti adopted the avatar name Colpo Wexler, through which he designed hundreds of custom spaces where the Cyberpunk style, also inspired by William Gibson’s literary works like “Neuromancer” (1984), merged with alternative and modern architecture. Gibson’s vision of a world dominated by artificial intelligences and digital networks profoundly influenced his concept of the symbiosis between man and machine.
Buratti’s creative and intellectual experimentation has always been rooted in the use of new technologies, mastering their logic and language. His artistic exploration draws from electronic music, gaming, metaverses, and science fiction. Musically, Buratti has been inspired by the Synthwave scene, influenced by Vangelis’ iconic Blade Runner soundtrack, Kraftwerk’s pioneering electronic music, and the futuristic sounds of Jean-Michel Jarre, whose album “Oxygène” (1976) was instrumental in redefining ambient electronic music. John Carpenter’s work on the “Escape from New York” (1981) soundtrack also contributed to shaping the sonic aesthetic that accompanies his artistic vision.
His works and videos deeply reflect the influence of the science fiction, cyberpunk, and comic culture from which his roots originate. By using generative AI tools, Buratti transforms these influences into an immersive visual experience that blends the aesthetics of the past with future technologies.
In recent years, Buratti has expanded his horizons by exploring the symbiosis between human and artificial intelligence. His work has been influenced by themes explored in Masamune Shirow’s manga “Ghost in the Shell” (1989), which deals with the fusion between digital consciousness and the human body. He has developed concepts such as the spiral of collaborative intelligence and has written about the concept of extended art, where philosophy and art intertwine to shape new expressive forms.
He celebrates the dialogue between man and machine, between tradition and innovation, and recognizes creativity as the bridge that connects the physical and digital worlds in a continuous process of transformation and hybridization.
