The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art — Issue #23 October 15th 2024

Greetings from Juergen

Hi all,

This week, we're tackling some intriguing topics at the intersection of art and technology. We begin with Billy Corgan's sharp critique on music software and its real effect on creativity—a conversation that echoes the early debates around digital photography. Next, we explore Durham Cathedral's immersive light show, where ancient architecture meets modern storytelling through light and sound.

You'll also discover Douglas McLennan's insights on tracking art participation in today's digital landscape, alongside a controversial AI-generated art review that raises questions about legacy and authenticity. Plus, we'll look at the role of virtual architecture in modern design and how artists have long drawn inspiration from the natural beauty of trees. These stories, along with a peek into Cairo Urban Week and the shifting art market, reveal the dynamic ways art and technology influence each other.

Technology in Music

Has Music Software Made Music Worse?

Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins recently voiced his concerns about music software in an interview with Goldmine Magazine, criticizing tools like Pro Tools for making music “worse” by allowing less skilled musicians to sound professional. He argues that these tools have “leveled the playing field” in ways that, in his opinion, have diluted the overall quality of music.

This brings me back to my days as a professional photographer. We had similar debates when digital cameras—and later smartphones—flooded the market. I remember thinking that these tools were letting people into the field who had no business being there. Of course, in hindsight, I was mostly wrong about that. Technology democratizes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it devalues.

“Pro Tools... has leveled the playing field that allowed people who can’t sing to sound like they can sing. And people who can’t play guitar now sound like they can.” — Billy Corgan

I wonder—does democratizing access to creative tools really harm the craft, or does it just change the game?

Public Art

Picture Gallery of Durham Cathedral Lit up By Immersive Lightshow About Space

Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral with Space, an immersive light and sound show about galaxies and outer space, reports The Northern Echo. The cathedral, nearly 1000 years old, will host stunning light projections of stars and galaxies, along with original footage of a rocket launch, all backed by intricate soundscapes.

There’s something profound about seeing ancient walls bathed in light that tells a story of exploration and wonder. When we visited the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona last year, the natural light pouring through those stained glass windows felt spiritual. These cathedral spaces seem to hold light in a way that transforms the ordinary into something sacred.

"Experiencing these light shows inside a cathedral, surely must be special. We visited Barcelona and the Sagrada Familia Cathedral for my birthday last year, and it was simply a spiritual experience to see the light show put on by nature and the colored glass sundrenched windows inside that space."

How do you think these light shows change our relationship with sacred spaces?

Societal Impact of Art and Tech

Problematic: Just How Do You Measure Participation In The Arts?

Douglas McLennan’s article on ArtsJournal asks an essential question: how do we measure participation in the arts today? It’s no longer just about ticket sales or physical attendance at galleries and theaters. Now, participation includes online engagement—what we share, like, and comment on. McLennan points out how these new forms of digital interaction have changed the landscape, with the National Endowment for the Arts grappling to make sense of it all.

What I find intriguing is the shift McLennan highlights: as digital participation in the arts grows, physical engagement is declining. Museums, live theater, and concerts are seeing fewer visitors. The irony is hard to miss—while technology has made art more accessible, it’s also pulling people away from real-world experiences.

“Technology has put creative tools in the hands of billions, and both the amount of content being made and its accessibility have exponentially increased.”

So, where does real participation happen for you? Online or in person?

London Standard’s AI-Generated Review, by Late Art Critic Brian Sewell, Exposes a Significant Philosophical Threat

London Standard’s recent AI-generated review of the Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers exhibition, written in the style of late art critic Brian Sewell, raises more than a few eyebrows. The original article, from The Conversation, points out a deeper issue: this isn’t just about AI replacing a human critic—it’s about resurrecting someone’s voice after death. Philosophically, it’s a bit unsettling.

So, here’s my take: This isn’t just a question of whether AI can review art. AI is now stepping into the shoes of a person who’s no longer here. Sewell’s wit, sharpness, and unique perspective were part of a living dialogue. Replicating that voice posthumously, without his involvement, feels like a reduction, a flattening of what it means to be human.

"It’s not just AI critiquing art. It’s AI resurrecting a critic’s voice—and that’s where it starts getting uncomfortable."

Where do we draw the line between honoring someone’s legacy and exploiting their voice, even after they’re gone?

Architecture

Travels in Interiors Hyperreality

Charlotte Taylor and Riccardo Fornoni’s Villa Saraceni, as described in the Financial Times, explores the fascinating world of virtual architecture—designs that exist only in digital form. Their work, along with others in the piece, plays with the boundaries of reality. But for me, architecture isn’t complete until it’s built. Virtual reality is a great tool for visualization, yet it remains just that—an idea.

The problem I see is when these digital concepts are placed on the same level as physical spaces. A rendering is still a 2D image, no matter how photorealistic it looks. You can’t walk through it, feel the materials, or experience the space as you would in reality.

"For me, virtual reality and augmented reality are excellent tools for previewing a concept, but they remain just that: concepts. Architecture only truly exists when something is actually built."

Do you think these digital spaces have real value outside of being a creative exercise?

Sustainability in Art and Tech

Evergreen Art: Depictions of Trees Over the Centuries – in Pictures

The Guardian recently featured a visually stunning article, “Evergreen art: depictions of trees over the centuries,” showcasing how artists have turned to trees for inspiration across time—from ancient rock art to AI-enhanced photography. It’s fascinating to see works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Hilma af Klint, and Trevor Paglen side by side, demonstrating how trees have been an enduring subject, as much a part of our collective artistic consciousness as they are of our environment.

One of my earliest memories of art was seeing Caspar David Friedrich’s Der Einsame Baum (Lonely Tree). The way that solitary tree stands against a barren landscape always captivated me. When I met my wife, Robyn, we both discovered this was our favorite painting. Trees in artwork have stayed with me ever since.

“Each tree has its own character like a person: they are charismatic in their own right,” writes Tony Kirkham, former head of Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

What tree in art has resonated with you?

Cairo Urban Week Kicks Off October 27: A Celebration of Sustainability, Art, and Urban Development

Cairo Urban Week, as covered by Daily News Egypt, kicks off on October 27, setting the stage for a celebration of sustainability, art, and urban development. This lead-up to the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) showcases activities ranging from exhibitions to guided tours, all focused on Cairo's evolving urban landscape. Events like "Sustainability in Art" at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization will explore contributions from ancient Egypt to modern development.

What really resonates with me is the idea of art as a driving force in sustainable societies. Throughout history, art has not just been a reflection of culture but a tool for shaping the environments we live in.

"Art has always played a role in making cities sustainable. From the design of ancient temples to modern urban planning, it's about creating spaces that last—and that people connect with."

What can we learn from ancient Egyptian art to shape the future of cities today?

Exhibitions & Events

‘spaces’ Brings Together Leading Voices in The Intersection of Technology + Art

HOFA Gallery and PhillipsX are bringing together some of the most innovative voices in art and tech with their upcoming exhibition, SPACES. As Mark Westall from FAD Magazine reports, artists like Sougwen Chung, Refik Anadol, and Krista Kim are pushing the boundaries of what constitutes art in the digital age. Chung’s collaboration with a robotic arm and Anadol’s data-driven works bring us face-to-face with the growing role of machines as partners in the creative process.

We recently visited the Victoria and Albert Museum in London—our favorite museum in the city by far. Compared to the British Museum, which felt packed and somewhat stale in its curation, the V&A seemed more forward-thinking. It’s no accident they were among the first to acquire an AI as part of their collection.

"It is telling that the Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the first museums to acquire an AI-based collection and algorithm as part of its exhibit. Indeed, is this a sign of the times?"

How long before other institutions follow, or are they already falling behind?

Rapt Up: A Review of “Pattern Recognition” at The Plan

Esau McGhee and Andrew Falkowski’s “Pattern Recognition” at The Plan, reviewed by The Plan’s team, showcases a unique way of reshaping the excess of contemporary life. The exhibition pulls in discarded objects and patterns them in ways that challenge how we see everyday junk—it’s as if they’re trying to make us recognize a hidden order in the chaos.

Continuing with our theme of pattern recognition and pareidolia, what I find compelling is how this show mirrors our digital habits. The constant noise of our tech-driven lives, riddled with consumerism, gets reflected in these works. It’s the detritus of our times, repurposed and arranged to reveal something unexpected.

"What McGhee and Falkowski have done is almost like an analog version of digital clutter—taking the overlooked and reworking it into a visual code that forces you to re-examine your surroundings."

Are we just pattern-seeking beings in a world of endless digital and physical debris? What are we hoping to find?

Future Trends in Art and Tech

Nala Founder Ben Gulak on How to Navigate the Art Market Downturn with Big Data and Direct Connections

Ben Gulak’s recent piece on VentureBeat dives into the ongoing downturn in the art market, driven by economic challenges and shifting buyer behaviors. He attributes much of this to the rising cost of living, which has forced many to prioritize essentials over luxury items like art. Gulak’s NALA (Networked Artistic Learning Algorithm) aims to address this, allowing artists to connect directly with buyers, bypassing traditional gatekeepers.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs comes to mind here. If people are struggling to pay for groceries and gas, it’s no wonder art is falling by the wayside. While Gulak’s vision of a more accessible art market is appealing, the reality is, when survival is on the line, art—however essential to the human experience—gets pushed aside.

“Maybe on the high end of the market, people are holding onto their money and waiting on geopolitical issues, but I think most people are just struggling right now, and we have to accept that,” Gulak says.

So, what happens when art becomes a luxury rather than a necessity?

The Last Word

Thanks for spending your time with these stories. Your curiosity and support are truly appreciated. If anything caught your attention or sparked a thought, don't hesitate to reach out—I'd love to hear from you. Let's continue this conversation and see where our shared interests take us.

Best, Juergen