The New and History

art*science 2017/Leonardo 50 International conference was keen on the relationship between artistic and scientific disciplines and celebrated the 50th anniversary of Leonardo journal, published by MIT Press, the most influential in the international arena on the relationships among arts, sciences and technologies. art*science 2017/Leonardo 50 general topic was “The New and History”. The “new”, “innovation”, have roots in history but they can project this heritage into the future thanks to the collaboration among arts, sciences and technologies.The conference was keen on:1) a reflection on the idea of “new”. What is really the “new”, what is the meaning of “new” and “innovation”? What does “innovation” really mean? How can “innovation” be recognized, communicated, fostered, sustained and spread?2) The relationship between the “new”, “innovation,” and history, through arts, scientific disciplines and technologies, a key element from cultural, historical, social and economic viewpoints. The Countries in the Mediterranean Rim, and more in general all European countries, have a long history and heritage in art and culture, that can be valued through new disciplines, sciences and technologies.3) The integration of arts, design and humanities into science, engineering and medicine, sometimes called “Stem to Steam”.