The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art - The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art

Greetings from Juergen

Hi all,

In this edition of The Intersect, I've curated stories from the immersive murals at Ibiza's BLOOP International Festival to the innovative mixed reality exhibition at London's Natural History Museum.

We also cover the societal impact of art and tech, such as the climate protest at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum and Yamaha's innovative use of wood scraps to create electric guitars. Plus, learn about an AI project aimed at reviving lost Gustav Klimt paintings. I hope you enjoy these stories that highlight how art and technology are continually evolving together.

Public Art

Enjoying Art and Technology st BLOOP International Festival of Proactive Art, Ibiza 2024

The BLOOP International Festival of Proactive Art in Ibiza, reported by GraffitiStreet, showcases how art and technology intertwine to create a vibrant cultural experience. This festival, running from August to mid-September 2024, features 60 murals and 200 artists, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility in art.

Proactive art, as highlighted by the festival, is not just about creating aesthetically pleasing pieces but actively engaging with social, political, and environmental issues. My take is that this movement shifts the focus from the final product to the process, encouraging participation and collaboration. The fact that the festival transforms the entire city into an outdoor gallery is particularly compelling, as it turns public spaces into platforms for artistic expression.

"Art and technology are the winning key available to administrations to increase quality tourism," says Matteo Amadio of Biokip Labs.

This approach challenges traditional art paradigms, making art more relevant to broader audiences. The festival's use of an interactive app for augmented reality and NFTs pushes the boundaries of how we experience art.

By redefining art's role in society, BLOOP Festival sets a new standard for cultural events.

Art and Spatial Computing

NHM Launches Futuristic Mixed Reality Exhibition

London's Natural History Museum (NHM) has partnered with Microsoft and Saola Studio to launch "Visions of Nature," a mixed reality exhibition. According to the Museums Association, this immersive experience allows visitors to witness a futuristic 2125 world using Microsoft HoloLens 2 headsets. It highlights species like narlugas and natural landmarks, emphasizing our impact on the planet.

In our past issues, we've recently covered the role of immersive installations in museums. It's exciting that NHM is hosting this in-house.

"I’m fascinated to see that London's Natural History Museum is making an attempt at actually hosting an immersive exhibition in-house and on location, instead of the tent city pop-ups like the traveling Van Gogh exhibition was."

Kudos to NHM for embracing this innovative step forward.

Societal Impact of Art and Tech

Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum Shutters Over Climate Protest

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam faced a temporary closure due to a demonstration by Extinction Rebellion, reports Artforum. The protest targeted the museum's sponsor, ING Group, for its investments in fossil fuels. Protesters blocked entry, demanding the museum cut ties with the bank, highlighting ING's significant role in climate change.

When art intersects with activism, it creates a powerful platform for change. Museums, as cultural bastions, often walk a fine line between funding and ethical responsibility. This event prompts reflection on how cultural institutions align with societal values, and the potential impact of their financial partnerships.

"When Art meets Activism, what are your thoughts?"

As the conversation continues, it’s clear that art has an undeniable role in shaping and challenging societal norms. How do we balance cultural preservation with pressing global issues?

AI or Not, Art Can’t Be Measured in Hours of Labour!

Matteo Wong from The Atlantic challenges the notion that art must be bound to laborious hours. In response to Ted Chiang's claim that AI cannot create art due to its detachedness from painstaking effort, Wong argues that art does not require visible labor to be meaningful.

Here at "The Intersect," we question this sentiment. Whatever happened to the idea that one must spend 10,000 hours to master a skill—does that seem outdated in today's tech-driven era? Technology has redefined how we create and appreciate art, often shortening the path to mastery and expanding creative horizons. But appreciating traditional skills or learning an instrument from the ground up is no place for timesaving.

"Maybe you do not need to demonstrate hours of toil, make a lot of decisions, or even express thoughts and feelings to make art."

But in art and tech, the process still matters, even if it's not the only measure of value.

Design

Nosukaay: Weaving the Future with Tradition and Technology

In a fascinating piece by African Digital Art, Diane Cescutti's project, Nosukaay, is highlighted for its innovative blend of West African weaving and digital technology. This interactive installation in Dakar uniquely combines traditional Manjacque loom techniques with modern computing, inviting viewers to engage deeply with both the art and its narrative.

This project resonates with me because it's rare to see fabric arts so intricately connected to technology, especially emerging from Dakar. The fusion of tactile and digital elements offers a fresh perspective, enriching the dialogue between tradition and modernity in an unexpected way.

"Nosukaay invites us to reconsider the intersection of technology and tradition, challenging us to think about how ancient practices can inform and enhance our modern digital experiences."

Nosukaay is a great example of how the cultural richness of West Africa can break our western preconceptions, and perhaps even inspire and reshape our technological narratives.

Interactive Art

You Can Finally Play as A Cockroach in VR with This Kafka-Inspired Game

Metamorphosis VR, inspired by Franz Kafka's novella, lets players experience life as a cockroach. Carli Velocci's article on Digital Trends introduces this unique VR experience developed by Black Sun Productions. It offers a philosophical journey through a world of bugs, blending Kafka’s themes with engaging platformer gameplay.

This game shifts away from the typical action-focused design, embracing artful storytelling and visual creativity. Its impressive VR artwork invites players to explore an absurd, yet thought-provoking environment. For those who appreciate Kafka's work, this game presents an intriguing intersection of literature and technology.

"I may not be much of a gamer, but I sure did read Kafka when I was younger. The idea that the art of game design doesn't necessarily have to be a 'shoot 'em up' is immensely appealing to me, and the VR artwork in this game is pretty amazing."

Metamorphosis VR is available on Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3.

Q+ART & Podcast Interviews

Nastassja Swift: How Art Elevates Our Collective Narrative [Podcast]

The recent NOT REAL ART podcast interview by host Scott "Sourdough" Power celebrates the creative world of Nastassja Swift, a multidisciplinary artist who explores identity and cultural heritage through felted wool sculptures and performance art.

Proud to be on the team for the yearly grant, I resonate deeply with the concept of expanding our definition of creativity. Swift's work exemplifies this expansion, merging traditional craft with contemporary themes.

"Nastassja's felted wool sculptures not only showcase technical skill but also bring forward conversations about race, identity, and belonging in modern society."

Technology has many definitions. Utilizing fabric and felt to create incredible pieces is a form of technological innovation. It doesn't have to be high-tech, cloud-based, or AI-driven to be fascinating.

Swift's journey is a reminder for me, insofar that innovation in art isn’t always about new tools — but new perspectives.

Sustainability in Art and Tech

Yamaha Turns Instrument Manufacturing Wood Scraps Into Upcycled Electric Guitars

Yamaha's innovative project, as reported by Designboom, transforms leftover wood from marimbas and pianos into electric guitars. This initiative not only reduces waste but also showcases the unique qualities of each wood type through scientific analysis.

While the guitars are visually stunning, I'm pondering the sound aspect. Tonewoods play a crucial role in an acoustic guitar's voice, and I'm curious about how these upcycled materials compare to traditional ones for building electric guitars.

"Will these sound different, and have enough sustain?"

Anyway Yamaha's approach is a cool blend of sustainability and craftsmanship.

Exhibitions & Events

When Algorithms Curate Art: The Nasher Museum’s Experiment

The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University embarked on an intriguing project where algorithms took on the curatorial task, as reported by MuseumNext. This endeavor, born from a playful suggestion during an exhibition gap, evolved into a serious exploration of AI's role in art curation. Marshall Price, Chief Curator, and his team decided to let AI take charge, challenging the traditional human-led curation process.

For me the story is refreshing, especially considering how large institutions often cling to convention. I have lots of friends who worked in museums where the leadership is not as flexible. The Nasher’s willingness to experiment like this is a bold move, showing that even in typically rigid spaces, innovation can thrive. Perhaps this indicates the evolving mindset within art institutions, and it hints at a more dynamic future for art curation.

“We thought, why not? It was an opportunity to explore AI’s potential in a space that has always been dominated by human intuition and expertise.”

Maybe this experiment at the Nasher showcases art's more fluid and dynamic future, where technology and creativity harmoniously blend?

Digital Archiving and Art Preservation

Here’s How AI Helped Recover Lost Paintings by Gustav Klimt

A fascinating article by The Collector explores how Google's AI has ventured into art restoration, attempting to resurrect Gustav Klimt's lost Faculty Paintings. These works, destroyed in 1945, were controversial yet significant, challenging the ideals of their time. Google's collaboration with the Leopold Museum aims to piece together Klimt's intricate vision, utilizing AI to fill the gaps left by history.

At The Intersect, we find the use of AI in art restoration particularly noteworthy. While AI applications are everywhere, this endeavor stands out for its potential to preserve and enhance classic art. As a Klimt enthusiast who once owned an original print adorned with his gold leaf designs, I am thrilled to see technology breathe life back into his masterpieces.

"Advancements for preserving and enhancing the beauty of classic artworks are always welcome news for me."

Art and technology continue to intertwine in fascinating ways.

The Last Word

Thanks for spending some time with this edition of The Intersect.

I hope these stories provide fresh perspectives and inspiration for your own creative endeavors. If you have any thoughts or feedback, I'd love to hear them. Let's continue exploring the fascinating intersection of art and technology.

Best, Juergen