Fusion of art, AI
Chyung Eun-ju
Art, an expressive form once exclusively human, is now welcoming a new participant: artificial intelligence (AI).
This year we have seen Vincent van Gogh's life resonate in immersive exhibitions all over the world, but one of the boldest ventures into championing his legacy is currently at the Musée D’Orsay in Paris. There, a doppelgänger of the artist, "Bonjour Vincent," engages visitors, offering insights derived from machine learning on 900 letters penned by the Dutch artist.
This fusion of AI and art is not only confined to museums, it has permeated the very fabric of creative expression. AI-generated art has transcended traditional mediums, now having an undeniable presence and use in painting, music, video and poetry. The likes of "The Next Rembrandt" project showcase AI's ability to mimic the style of a particular artist, learning from vast databases to generate new, distinct “masterpieces.”
Most notably, French company Obvious used a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) algorithm to craft "Portrait of Edmond de Belamy," which fetched a staggering $432,500 at an auction this year.
Joel Cho
AI's impact on the art world is profound and incontestable, challenging notions of creativity and ownership. Artists now wield AI as a tool to explore styles otherwise inaccessible, pushing the limits of human imagination. However, the advent of AI in art raises a fundamental question that we have explored many times before and still have no clear answer: Who owns AI-generated art? The line between human and machine creativity is blurred, prompting contemplation on the role of the artist in the creative process.
In Paris, the Musée D’Orsay's foray into AI-generated art is part of a broader effort to assert relevance in the 21st century. Collaborations with tech startups, like Jumbo Mana, which plans to release the van Gogh AI program on Amazon's Alexa, demonstrate the intersection of culture and commerce. Similar projects based on radical artists like Arthur Rimbaud are in the pipeline, reflecting the impact that AI art is already having throughout the industry.
In Korea’s first AI art gallery, artist Doomin and founder of Pulse9, an AI art startup, collaborated in the “Commune with…” project, which is one of the world’s first art collaborations between a human artist and AI. This new project showcases a pair of thought-provoking pieces centered around Dokdo — a territorially disputed island between Japan and Korea. The collaborative effort operated through Pulse9’s AI art algorithm imprints an intricate blue pen drawing on the lower portion of the "hanji," (traditional Korean paper), while the human touch of artist Doomin takes form on the upper half, employing vivid red ink.
The second piece of the “Commune with…” project unfolds with 'magine AI — Pulse9’s AI algorithm, applying an Oriental painting technique to the lower canvas. Meanwhile, the human part of the collaborative effort consisted of Doomin bringing his artistic perspective to the upper canvas, employing a Western painting style. This juxtaposition of technological innovation and human expression prompts a deeper exploration into the intersection of traditional and contemporary art, all while navigating the complex geopolitical context surrounding Dokdo.
Despite initial reservations, AI-generated art exhibits are forging a new path, drawing diverse audiences previously uninterested in traditional forms. The amalgamation of technology and art intrigues those intrigued by AI and fosters inclusivity in the art world. Exhibits with interactive and immersive elements, generated swiftly and economically, offer a unique experience impossible with traditional art.
From another perspective, AI-generated art could also level the playing field of the more exclusive art market, providing opportunities for emerging artists and breaking down boundaries between artistic communities. Exhibitions like the “Commune with…” project, which was exhibited at the AIA Art Gallery, showcase the potential of AI to redefine artistic norms.
However, this transformative journey raises ethical considerations. The responsibility lies with technology creators and artists to use AI algorithms focusing on the deeper ethical implications of using this new innovative medium of art in line with current understandings of ownership and copyright, and in more serious cases deepfakes. Ethical concerns should not overshadow the potential benefits of AI in art – engaging new audiences, democratizing the art world and fostering collaboration.
The future of AI-generated art exhibits teems with possibilities. As AI technology advances, it competes but it is also capable of cooperating with human artists, offering exciting intersections between art and technology. The AI and art landscape, once perceived as a dichotomy, now represent a collaborative frontier. Whether audiences embrace AI-generated art with the same fervor reserved for human creations remains to be seen.
The integration of AI and art is an exciting new frontier that if used cautiously, can become a collaborator, enhancing human skills and craftsmanship.
As we navigate this dynamic landscape, it's crucial to balance enthusiasm for the potential of AI in art with ethical considerations. AI-generated art should not be seen as a replacement for human creativity, but as a tool and even a co-creator, expanding the canvas of possibilities. In this synthesis of human ingenuity and technological prowess, the future of art unfolds, promising exciting possibilities for creators and audiences alike.
Chyung Eun-ju (ejchyung@snu.ac.kr) is a marketing analyst at Career Step. She received a bachelor's degree in business from Seoul National University and a master's degree in marketing from Seoul National University. Joel Cho (joelywcho@gmail.com) is a practicing lawyer specializing in IP and digital law.