FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2026
Jason Lam, Press@leonardo.info
Cover Image provided courtesy of Lauryn Mannigel.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Leonardo and Tsinghua's ZHUANGSHI Journal Launch Groundbreaking Issue on AI and Augmented Wisdom
As a result of 50 years of publishing work on the cutting edge, Leonardo has become the leading international peer-reviewed journal on the use of contemporary science and technology in the arts and music and, increasingly, the application and influence of the arts, design and humanities on science and technology.
This morning Michael Punt, editor of Leonardo Reviews, sent me this message by email: "Did you know George Shortess had died recently? He was a panelist before I was editor! I think George Gessert is the only one left who preceded me. Michael".
This morning Michael Punt, editor of Leonardo Reviews, sent me this message by email: "Did you know George Shortess had died recently? He was a panelist before I was editor! I think George Gessert is the only one left who preceded me. Michael"
Wired for Art
Throughout human history, we have always turned to art to make sense of the world, to express emotion, build community, and imagine new futures. In the most ancient of cultures, there was no separate word for art as creativity through dance, song, and storytelling was an integral part of everyday life, health, and community. What is newly emerging, however, is a growing body of scientific evidence indicating that these creative impulses are not merely cultural preferences but biological ones. We are, quite literally, wired for art.
In Gordon Teskey’s excellent book Spenserian Moments (2019) he articulates a strategy for understanding Renaissance thought, focused on early modern literature, but applicable to all the arts and humanities and thereby relevant to Leonardo as well:
Leonardo welcomes two new LASER nodes: Bergen and Chengdu
Leonardo is electrified to announce the addition of two new nodes to the global LASER Network — LASER Bergen in Norway and LASER Chengdu in China — expanding spaces where creative inquiry meets critical research and experimental collaboration.
(Photo above: © University at Buffalo | Douglas Levere)
Critical Art Ensemble's Steve Kurtz, May 8, 1958-November 12, 2025
Steve Kurtz was an American professor, writer, artist, and activist, a member of the well-known tactical media collective, Critical Art Ensemble. Today, November 12, 2025, he completed his final mission on Earth, which was to leave humanity the legacy of his many creations and cultural struggles. He passed away peacefully at home, accompanied by his partner and wife, Lucia Summer.
—Lucas Fortunato
