The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art

Greetings from Juergen

Hi everyone,

This week, I’ve curated a collection of stories that shine a light on the enriching connections between art, technology, and science. From a breathtaking 40,000-pixel photograph capturing all 88 constellations to AI’s growing role in museum curation, these stories reveal the power of innovation to preserve, transform, and challenge how we experience art and culture.

We’ll explore topics like Notre-Dame’s modern restoration critique, a new print magazine dedicated to AI art, and virtual reality experiences recreating 19th-century Paris. There’s even a fascinating look at how tiny ice crystals paint luminous patterns in the sky. Join me as we unpack these intersections of creativity, technology, and our shared human experience.

Prefer listening? Subscribe to "The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art" podcast for an engaging audio take on this week’s curated topics.

Photography

88 Constellations: Scientists Present the Largest Photograph of the Night Sky

The National Observatory for Optical and Infrared Astronomy (NOIRLab) has unveiled a remarkable project: a collection of images capturing all 88 officially recognized constellations, along with the largest publicly available photograph of the night sky at 40,000 pixels. This ambitious effort, as reported by NOIRLab, blends science and artistry to preserve the night sky in a way that feels increasingly urgent.

German astrophotographer Eckhard Slavik captured his photographs in some of the world's darkest and cleanest locations, including Waldenburg in Germany, Tenerife and La Palma in Spain, Namibia, and Chile. Using a unique technique, Slavik photographed each panel twice—once with a diffuser and once without—to enhance the clarity and brightness of the stars, ensuring they appeared as visible as possible.

Projects like this resonate deeply with me. Light pollution, the proliferation of satellites, and even climate change are erasing our connection to the stars. I see this as more than photography—it’s preservation. As an ex-photographer who briefly dabbled in astrophotography, I know how much patience and remote travel this would have demanded. Honestly, the sheer commitment involved is awe-inspiring.

“I can’t tell you how much I admire projects like this—years of effort, solitary nights, and an unmatched celebration of the cosmos.”

How long before the stars themselves become a memory, and will images like this be all we have left?

AI in Visual Arts

New Magazine Dedicated to AI Art and ‘What Happens When Humans and Machines Get Creative Together’ Launches

The AI Art Magazine, a 176-page biannual print publication, launched recently, as reported by ARTnews. Publisher Mike Brauner described it as a "vital chronicle" of this pivotal moment in art history. Featuring essays, curated galleries, and contributions by artists like Emi Kusano, the magazine aims to capture the intersection of human creativity and machine intelligence. Interestingly, one jury member for the open call was AI itself.

I came across this announcement in no fewer than six publications, which made me pause. A print magazine celebrating AI art—a medium that thrives on digital immediacy and constant evolution—feels oddly anachronistic. Is this charming, or does it reflect our need to anchor the digital in something tangible?

“It’s curious to think that for some, a printed magazine signals ‘legitimacy’—a notion directly at odds with AI visuals, which often blur or subvert reality itself.”

Does this move signal progress—or nostalgia dressed as progress?

Gaming

Did a Video Game Help Rebuild Notre-Dame After the Fire?

The Guardian recently explored how Assassin’s Creed Unity played a surprising role in discussions about restoring Notre Dame after the 2019 fire. While the game’s digital model of the cathedral is visually stunning, it wasn’t precise enough for actual restoration work. Instead, it was laser scans from 2015 by art historian Andrew Tallon—capturing over a billion data points—that became an essential reference for engineers.

What struck me here is how easily games like Unity grab the spotlight, even when the heavy lifting was done elsewhere.

"Scans from professional engineers, not game developers, were the cornerstone for rebuilding. Yet, the idea that gaming could assist in restoration sparks exciting possibilities for where art meets tech—and highlights how close tools like Unreal Engine already are."

Maybe don't trust a video game to preserve our most cherished landmarks—but for me it adds to my sense of digital and cultural permanence.

Art & Science

Integration of Music and Art in a Science and Engineering-Based University

The recent Nature Careers Podcast with Julie Gould highlights fascinating insights from Stanford’s Callie Chappell, who argues that science and art aren’t opposites but cousins. She likens scientific work to an artistic endeavor: blending ideas, communicating through creation, and, ultimately, relying on creativity. At the Technion, one of Israel's top tech universities, their Artist-in-Residency program and initiatives like Music, Science, Inspiration explore how integrating art into STEM fields sparks innovation and connection.

This reminds me of something Chappell said:

“I would argue that science is actually a type of art. To do science, you have to be creative, you have to blend different ideas, you have to communicate those ideas by creating something. In many ways that’s what artists do.”

Does art serve as a hidden engine for breakthroughs in science, or have we underestimated its potential?

Diamond Dust Sky Eye

The recent article “Diamond Dust Sky Eye,” featuring an image by Jaroslav Fous, explores a breathtaking optical phenomenon caused by tiny ice crystals known as diamond dust. These geometrically shaped crystals, suspended in freezing air, interact with light from the Moon or Sun to create halos, arcs, and even what looks like a giant eye staring back at us. Captured in the Ore Mountains of the Czech Republic, the image reveals a stunning interplay of natural elements, including Moon dogs, light pillars, and planetary glimmers from Jupiter and Mars.

Earlier this year, I attended a lecture on optical phenomena, and this exact type of ice-crystal effect took center stage. Seeing these forms explained scientifically doesn’t diminish their magic—it deepens it. It’s as if nature itself is sketching luminous patterns across the sky, with ice crystals as its tools.

The beauty here lies in the duality: scientifically precise geometric reflections, yet utterly surreal, almost dreamlike in their visual impact.

If art imitates life, could this be nature’s way of creating its own abstract masterpiece?

Virtual and Augmented Reality in Art

Revolutionizing Museums: How AI-Driven Data Analysis Is Changing the Game

AI is increasingly shaping how museums engage visitors, as highlighted in MuseumNext's piece on AI-driven data analysis. From curating personalized tours to optimizing collection management, these tools are transforming visitor experiences. The article underscores how AI is being deployed to tailor museum offerings, making art and history more accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.

This resonates with my recent museum visits in the UK, where I used Perplexity, my favorite AI tool, to create impromptu audio tours. By simply photographing plaques under artworks and having Perplexity dig up insights, I generated personalized guides on the spot. It worked so well that I couldn't help but imagine museums adopting similar tools to offer curated tours based on individual interests—like one focusing solely on the history of photography.

"Imagine an AI assistant familiar with a museum’s collection, ready to craft a walking tour tailored to your specific passions. It’s not futuristic—it’s entirely within reach."

What would your ideal AI-curated museum tour look like?

Revisiting 19th-Century Paris With VR

Created by French startup Excurio, in collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay, a new VR experience, Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874, explores 19th-century Paris and the world of Impressionist art. As detailed in TechCrunch, the 45-minute experience transforms a massive 11,000-square-foot white room into immersive scenes where visitors stand beside Claude Monet or explore galleries filled with iconic works.

I hadn't considered how much physical space these kinds of VR experiences demand. A blank canvas of that scale allows for free-roaming, immersive storytelling, but it also makes you wonder: is this scalable for smaller venues?

"Despite the awkwardness, it really felt like we were in Paris, gazing at classic paintings and speaking to their creators," the author reflects, capturing the unique blend of technology and art this offers.

Could this be the future of museum spaces or is it just a passing novelty?

Art and Politics

Americans Speak Out About Arts & Culture in New Public Opinion Survey

Americans for the Arts recently released their 2023 public opinion survey, as reported by The Art Newspaper. It highlights that 79% of Americans attended arts or culture events this past year, and nearly half created or shared art themselves. The findings affirm that the arts enrich personal well-being, foster empathy, and even contribute to professional success—61% of workers said creativity directly impacts their job performance.

I’ve always wondered if art alone can mend cultural divides, but this stood out: creativity, across industries and roles, is broadly valued. That’s encouraging. It’s not just about making art—it’s about cultivating a creative mindset in everything we do.

“The findings from this national public opinion study affirm the belief that we are better people with the arts in our lives,” says Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts.

So, what’s your creative outlet, and how does it shape your world?

Digital Archiving and Art Preservation

Notre Dame Restoration Critique: An Installation, Not a Liturgical Space

Rita Ferrone's critique in OSV News of the newly designed liturgical furniture at Notre-Dame Cathedral is sharp, calling it "modern art" that feels disconnected from the sacred space. She describes the font as inaccessible and overly stylized, lamenting its "art installation" feel. The altar, she says, “seems to have dropped in from somewhere else.” Ferrone's take focuses on how the updates fail to align with traditional liturgical symbolism.

I couldn’t disagree more. When I stood in Paris just days after the fire, watching the first restoration efforts from our hotel window (See my own B&W photo attached), I saw something deeply moving: a national treasure rising from ashes. Notre-Dame, to me, isn’t just a church. It’s a cultural heartbeat, transcending its Catholic roots and inviting everyone—faithful or not—into its story.

“A church is not a museum,” Ferrone argues. Yet Notre-Dame is more than a church; it’s also a symbol of resilience and shared heritage.

Can something evolve to honor both tradition and a broader, inclusive vision?

The Last Word

Thanks for reading along and engaging with these compelling narratives. Your curiosity and support continue to inspire me to explore the rich connections between art and technology. If any of these stories resonate with you or spark new ideas, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep this dialogue alive and growing—your perspective is an essential part of this community.

Warm regards, Juergen