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

Greetings from Juergen

Hi all:

This week, get ready for some wild stories: an artist’s take on why capitalism, not AI, is killing creativity, a zoo that hilariously tried to pass off painted dogs as pandas, and how AI chatbots can reinforce gender stereotypes. Plus, we'll explore a London newspaper’s bizarre move to revive a deceased art critic using AI, a parody website challenging a fishing giant, and an artist’s clever use of traditional methods to create what looks like AI-like art.

AI in Visual Arts

You Don’t Hate AI, You Hate Capitalism

Artist Charlie Engman’s article on ArtNews, “You Don’t Hate AI, You Hate Capitalism”, tackles the tension between AI and creativity. Engman argues that AI isn’t inherently bad—it’s how it's being used and commodified under capitalism that’s the issue. His experiments with generative AI, especially in his book Cursed, reveal the inherent oddities and distortions AI brings to the creative process, sparking debates about whether AI threatens the essence of human creativity.

What stands out to me is the idea that creativity isn't some fixed, moral constant. AI challenges our assumptions, especially when it comes to authorship and originality, but maybe that's not a bad thing. Who decides what "real" creativity is? And why does it have to belong to one person or group?

"Critics saw the wrongness depicted in my images as a direct analogy to the wrongness of the technology itself. In their view, creativity has an inherent, fixed morality that AI is poised to corrupt."

Is AI really corrupting creativity, or are some of us just afraid of losing control over it?

Public Art

Chinese Zoo Comes Clean After Scheme to Paint Dogs to Look Like Pandas Blows up In Their Faces when They Start Barking

A hilarious piece from We Got This Covered highlights how a Chinese zoo tried to pass dyed chow chows as pandas. The ruse fell apart when visitors noticed the “pandas” barking—a dead giveaway. This isn’t the first time zoos in China have pulled this stunt, with another zoo caught using the same trick earlier this year.

I couldn't resist sharing this for three reasons: First, it's funny. Second, it involves painting. Third, no AI was involved in this absurd attempt to fool people. While the idea of painting dogs to resemble pandas is ridiculous, it also makes a fascinating point about how far people will go to imitate something iconic.

"Normal people dye their hair. Dogs can dye their hair, too," a zoo official said. Not quite the defense I expected, but sure, why not?

If the zoo had access to AI, would they have tried to create virtual pandas instead?

Societal Impact of Art and Tech

Another Online Pervert: Kylee Isom in conversation with Brea Souders

Brea Souders’ conversation with Kylee Isom on Lenscratch explores her project Another Online Pervert, a striking blend of digital imagery and AI-chatbot dialogue. The work dives into themes of identity, gender, and the ways technology shapes — and sometimes distorts — our interactions. Souders’ reflection on her exchanges with a "female" chatbot reveals an unsettling truth about how AI often reinforces harmful social structures.

I find it fascinating how Souders’ work brings out the inherent sexism embedded in AI programming, especially in chatbots. This isn't just about technology; it’s about the cultural baggage we’re feeding into these systems, making them reflect and perpetuate outdated views on gender and power dynamics.

"The chatbot was programmed to be 'female' and perpetually 18 years old, and was created by men. The implications of gendering AI are numerous."

Where else do we see this bias creeping into our digital tools, and what can we do to change it?

London Newspaper Plans to Revive Dead Art Critic With AI, Lays Off Real Writers

London’s Evening Standard has decided to resurrect the late art critic Brian Sewell using AI, according to a report from Deadline. Sewell, known for his sharp and often divisive opinions, passed away in 2015, but now an algorithm is set to review exhibitions under his name. The first on the list? Van Gogh’s Poets and Lovers at The National Gallery.

For many of my artist friends, this feels like a double whammy. There’s not an outright hatred for AI or art critics, but combining them? It’s a curious choice, to say the least. A sort of "sign of the times" moment.

"But in this case, it’s hard not to feel that it’s more than a little… well, “yikes.”

Is this just a publicity stunt, or does the Standard really think AI can channel the voice of a critic who made his living feeling art?

Samherji vs. Odee: Art, Accountability, and the Limits of Parody

Samherji, Iceland's largest fishing company, is suing Icelandic art student Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson (Odee) over a parody website that mimicked the company’s own. The fake site, We’re Sorry, mocked Samherji's alleged involvement in a fishing scandal in Namibia. The original piece, published by Whistleblower Network News, highlights how Odee's spoof questions the limits of artistic parody, but the company is pushing back with legal action.

Really? Can you sue someone for creating a parody website of something? I mean, maybe in Iceland—and maybe when it comes to their fishing industry—they take this form of artistic expression extremely seriously. But it raises the question: where does satire end and corporate control begin?

"I can’t help but wonder, is this really about branding, or is it about silencing a pretty sharp critique, or is simply a form of attention seeking?

Does this set a precedent where companies decide what's too close for comfort?

Definitely Not AI

Roberto Diaz’s Art of Chaos

Roberto Diaz’s “Arte del Caos,” as highlighted by The Awesomer, showcases his twisted transformations of classical religious art. What’s notable here is that Diaz takes pride in creating these eerie, mixed-media pieces entirely without AI tools. In a world where many artists now lean on AI for efficiency or inspiration, Diaz’s hands-on approach stands out.

But here’s the thing: his work looks so much like something that could have been AI-generated. So, is this a win for traditional craft? Or is it just proof that AI and human creativity can now produce eerily similar results?

“So here's an example where an artist takes extreme pride in producing something that looks AI-generated but was completely created without the use of AI. So, is this a victory of sorts?”

It makes me wonder—does the line between human-made and AI-made art even matter anymore?

Interactive Art

An Echo Chamber Installation by Post- Questions Freedom of Speech

The recent installation by post-, featured on Designboom, invites participants into a 10-foot echo chamber where AI-modified versions of their own opinions are played back through eight speakers. The booth, surrounded by red vinyl strip curtains, creates a sensory environment that questions freedom of speech by reflecting ideas back to participants without opposition.

It’s a compelling concept, but I’m not entirely convinced that I’d fully grasp the political implications through just sound. The installation simulates an echo chamber—ideas bounce back, unchallenged—but does that really capture the broader societal issue of echo chambers? I love the metaphor, but I wonder how much of the critique would come through in such a setup.

"Ideas and opinions are reflected back, often without challenge or opposition,” which is what makes echo chambers so dangerous. But experiencing that in an auditory installation? I’m curious, but not sure I’d walk away with any profound realizations.

Would hearing only your own words really make you rethink them?

Featured Artists

Accidental Aesthetics on Medium

Here's an update on my personal project called "Accidental Aesthetics": Explore the unique beauty in everyday scenes with me. From hidden architectural gems to unexpected street art, each story provides a visual and narrative adventure inspired by Wes Anderson’s style.

Follow me on Medium for detailed, narrative-driven content that highlights symmetry, serendipity, and hidden wonders.

In "Accidental Aesthetics," I’m focused on creating large format art prints using only an iPhone. Transitioning from heavy DSLR equipment to mobile photography, I embrace the challenge of using various apps and AI tools for perspective correction, motion without a tripod, and producing artwork that balances fun with seriousness.

Discover the techniques and stories behind this work by following "Accidental Aesthetics."

Follow Accidental Aesthetics on Medium

Thanks for your continued interest,
Juergen

Art & Science

How The Space Race Impacted American Abstraction

The article from ArtNews explores “Particles and Waves: Southern California Abstraction and Science, 1945–1990,” an exhibition at the Palm Springs Art Museum. It highlights how artists in Cold War–era Southern California were influenced by scientific advancements, from rocket science to optics research. Artists like Frank Malina, who left Caltech's Jet Propulsion Lab to pursue kinetic art, and Helen Lundeberg, who embraced extraterrestrial themes, show how deeply intertwined art and science were at the time.

What excites me here is the intersection of art and science. We talk a lot about technology's role in art, but rarely do we see such a clear example where scientific exploration fuels creative expression.

"So many examples of art and technology intersect, but far fewer examples of art and science come to my attention when curating this newsletter. I’m always excited to highlight this rare overlap."

Isn’t it fascinating how space exploration expanded not just our physical boundaries but also our creative ones?

Virtual and Augmented Reality in Art

New VR Experience Celebrates Art History

Eclipso Entertainment’s new virtual reality (VR) exhibit, Tonight with the Impressionists, takes visitors back to 1874 Paris, marking 150 years since the first Impressionist exhibition. As reported by Technique, the experience includes monologues from artists like Degas and Morisot, while guests explore the streets of Paris and the iconic works of the era. It's loaded with historical detail, immersive technology, and artistic passion.

I think it’s a pretty cool idea to relive important moments in art history this way. Having gone to art school in Georgia, I hope some of my Atlanta friends get the chance to check this out. The idea of walking through a VR version of the Place de l'Opéra just sounds fascinating.

“We are trying to combine culture with technology and innovation,” says Jennifer Berghs, general manager of Eclipso Atlanta.

How do you think VR will continue to reshape how we experience classic art?

Exhibitions & Events

This Is What Burning Man Looks Like From Space

The European Space Agency’s recent satellite image of Burning Man 2024, as captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, was highlighted by Amanda Kooser in Forbes. The image shows the temporary Black Rock City settlement in the Nevada desert, home to the annual art-centric event. The satellite’s perspective reveals the festival’s sprawling scale, all against the backdrop of the sweeping desert landscape.

But here’s my real take: Don’t you love it when an art-centric event is visible from space? It’s like the universe itself is acknowledging the scale and impact of human creativity. Burning Man, with its massive art installations and temporary architecture, becomes part of something much bigger—the Earth, the stars, the whole cosmic dance.

"Burning Man becomes a small part of a bigger picture, a momentary shift in an ancient landscape."

So, does the art change when it’s viewed from so far away? Or does it become something entirely new when seen on this scale?

The Last Word

Thanks for taking the time to explore these stories with me. Your continued interest and support mean a lot. If you have any thoughts or questions about the pieces, I'd love to hear from you. Let's keep the conversation going and continue to uncover the rich intersections of art and technology together.

Best, Juergen