Massimo Leone: Semiotechne

When we talk about the human face today, we are examining the tensions between the permanence of the biological imprint and the constant renewal of technologies, which call the concept of singularity into question. In a world dominated by algorithms and computer vision, the face is no longer a fixed marker of identity; it has become an unstable space — a 'designed' surface whose meaning is constantly being deconstructed and reconstructed. 'Semiotechne' explores this transformation without succumbing to nostalgia or technological enthusiasm. The book demonstrates that various systems and devices — ranging from machine learning and deepfakes to biometric verification and clinical diagnostic tools — not only record the face, but also help to redefine the conditions under which it can be interpreted. The face is therefore not just something to be recognised, but something to be interpreted; a space where new forms of knowledge and reduction emerge. Thus, the book invites us to consider the contemporary face as an open space traversed by tensions that continually redefine its meaning.