Artificial intelligence is not necessarily at odds with art. In fact, many artists have been exploring its possibilities in ever more imaginative ways. New York-based multimedia artist David Held is one such pioneer, integrating AI techniques into electric sculptural installations that probe the meaning behind sound and language. “In the age of AI, the arts can redefine mediums again,” he says. “The ability to create the unseen will be amazing.”
The real challenge lies not with AI itself, but with how it is applied. While David is enthusiastic about the possibilities these technologies bring, he’s also quick to note that Big Tech may “unleash an evil” the likes of which we’ve never seen. Against this backdrop, we asked the artists in our recent exhibition, Out of Bounds: Pushing the Lines Between Technology and Art: What does it mean to be creative in the age of AI? Scroll through to read their answers.
David Held
During the 1970s, art seemed to be in a transitional state. New mediums were being created in video, multimedia, and electronic arts. Microcomputers in the hands of the masses became the first tool that, rather than extending the body, extended the mind. As artists explored these new mediums, they created new art definitions.
But now, in the age of AI, the arts can redefine mediums again. The union between imagination and the brain has a new creative linkage. Let’s not be fooled; Big Tech will unleash an evil not yet seen. But for the artist, the ability to create the unseen will be amazing. Magic is making the visible invisible, art is making the invisible visible.
View ‘Out of Bounds: Pushing the Lines Between Technology and Art’
Exhibition | Curator’s Statement | First Friday Exhibitions
ArtLynette (Veronica Martinez)
Using AI for art creation or as an enhancement tool can be rewarding. It can be used collaboratively, and the more it’s used, the way you create changes. AI can create anything, yes, but as an artist, you'll be forced to reevaluate not only what constitutes art for you but also adapt to the lack (or loss) of effort-based creation. Your creativity shifts more to intention, exploration, and personal voice.
What AI can teach you is to honestly confront what makes your art your own. You'll consider the themes at the core of your work, and how your individuality reveals itself. AI can copy styles and make generic, pretty, and empty images all day long, but the human is the one who creates the vision, context, and meaning.
View ‘Out of Bounds: Pushing the Lines Between Technology and Art’
Exhibition | Curator’s Statement | First Friday Exhibitions
Ozmandium
When I first encountered AI, it was an amazing new medium to explore. I hadn't had the space to physically paint in years, and being able to upload my work into an AI program and make new images I could then work with was addictive. In many ways, when used correctly, it can be a great tool to help in a creative process. For many people, those with physical disabilities, or those without the resources or materials to create physically, generative AI gave them access to creativity for the first time. It was a whole new world.
But for me, the new medium quickly showed its limitations. I found myself struggling to feel that any of the work I produced was really mine, even though it started with my own. Once I learned about the environmental costs and saw the road we have been going down with AI usage, I think the benefits of AI far outweigh the costs. There are other ways of being creative, far less costly ones. I have seen far too many very intelligent people fall into some form of AI psychosis and actually lose creative abilities due to over-reliance on AI tools. If you're using it creatively, it shouldn't be a crutch or a final decision maker. You should understand the medium you're working in better than the machine does, so you know when it makes mistakes.
View ‘Out of Bounds: Pushing the Lines Between Technology and Art’
Exhibition | Curator’s Statement | First Friday Exhibitions
Responses have been edited for length and clarity. All images published with permission of the artist(s); featured image: “Confabulation or You Can’t Hide Those Hippocampus Lies” by David Held.