The Past’s Future: What Retro Tech Art Tells Us About Now — Issue #33 December 24th 2024

Greetings from Juergen

Hi everyone,

As the holiday season approaches, I hope you're finding moments of joy and reflection. This week’s edition explores how technology continues to reshape the creative landscape, often in surprising ways. From AI-authenticated art shaking up the auction world to photorealistic 3D environments redefining storytelling workflows, the dialogue between art and tech remains as dynamic as ever. You’ll also read about how artists are leveraging generative AI to challenge cultural norms and how designers are embracing AI’s practicality to innovate in architecture and graphic design.

These stories not only spotlight advancements but also raise important questions about authorship, authenticity, and creativity. I hope this edition inspires you to think about how these intersections could shape your own creative journey. Wishing you a festive season filled with inspiration and creativity.

Subscribe to "The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art" podcast for a conversational take on this week’s curated stories. Join us to keep exploring!

Photography

Funhouse Mirror: The Controversial AI-Photography by Charlie Engman

Charlie Engman’s recent exploration of AI-photography, as detailed in Design You Trust, pushes the boundaries of what we define as photographic art. Engman, a New York-based artist and educator, uses generative AI tools to create images that challenge cultural norms and visual expectations. His work, described as a “funhouse mirror” of preexisting imagery, reflects a fascinating interplay between human input and unpredictable machine logic.

What strikes me most about this approach is how far AI art has evolved from its early days. This isn’t just typing a prompt and letting the system do the heavy lifting. Artists like Engman are shaping a distinct design language—layering, refining, and reimagining their visions through painstaking effort. The result is far more intentional than it might appear at first glance.

“There is a beautiful collapse of category distinctions and a dynamic interplay between un-indoctrinated naivety and an appreciation of precedent,” Engman explains.

Are we ready to embrace this new form of authorship, or does it challenge the very essence of what we consider "art"?

Societal Impact of Art and Tech

Play with AI Like Your Career Depends on It (it Does)

Marie Gilot’s article for Nieman Lab makes a bold case: if you’re a journalist—or anyone in a creative field—you can’t afford to ignore AI. She points out that AI tools, like ChatGPT, are still accessible and inexpensive, making this the perfect time to experiment. The future, she warns, may not be so forgiving when these technologies evolve into gated, commercialized products.

As someone working at the intersection of art and technology, I see parallels for us. AI tools are shaping up to be as foundational to our creative toolkit as a paintbrush or a MIDI controller. Ignoring them now might feel like a moral stance, but it could leave you scrambling later. There’s no shame in learning through play.

“They don’t try to slow the train; they jump aboard and poke around the engine room. They haven’t broken anything and you won’t either,” Gilot writes.

Are we willing to risk irrelevance by sitting on the sidelines? Or is it time to jump into the engine room ourselves?

Design

Carmit Makler Haller on the Intersection of Design, Culture, and Technology

Carmit Makler Haller’s recent feature on the Graphis Blog explores how poster design connects culture, technology, and identity. Her works, Dynamic and Future?, use vibrant layouts and AI-generated textures to question the pace of modern life and the role of artificial intelligence. Through exhibitions in China and Japan, Haller challenges us to rethink how design reflects and critiques technological change.

It’s fascinating to consider how posters, with their vertical layouts, echo the formats dominating platforms like Instagram Stories or TikTok. These spaces already amplify design and messaging, but seeing posters as intentional, thought-provoking reflections of rapid tech shifts opens a broader conversation. Could these formats evolve into spaces for deeper visual dialogue?

“AI now imitates the human brain in ways that seem limitless. It’s a powerful tool—but will it solve humanity’s problems or create new ones?” writes Haller, raising questions we all need to face.

How do we use these formats not just to scroll but to stop, think, and connect?

Taiwan Design Week Returns for Its Second Edition with AI-Focused Theme

Taiwan Design Week's second edition, reported by Dezeen, dives into AI's influence on design, architecture, and creativity from December 7–15 in Taipei. Organized by the Taiwan Design Research Institute, the event features over 30 design teams and installations such as Studio MMR's "Synthetic Storyteller," which uses AI to predict lifestyles, blending machine learning with human needs.

Here on The Intersect, I see this as less about existential debates and more about AI’s practical role in design disciplines. Unlike art, which wrestles with questions of authenticity and creation, design fields like architecture and graphic design appear to embrace AI as a tool. The Taiwanese exhibition underscores this, emphasizing utility rather than introspection.

"These exhibits explore the diverse possibilities of integrating generative AI into work and life," the organizers note. This pragmatic approach contrasts sharply with art's deeper philosophical struggles.

Can design's functional embrace of AI help illuminate its potential role in art—or does it further widen the gap?

Canva Revolutionized Graphic Design. Will It Survive the Age of AI?

Generative AI could have been an existential threat for Canva, which made billions by making graphic design quick and easy. Victoria Turk’s Wired piece on Canva CEO Melanie Perkins explores how the platform is navigating the AI revolution—not as a threat, but as an opportunity. Perkins explains that Canva’s vision was always to simplify the path from idea to design, and integrating AI tools like Magic Studio and acquiring platforms such as Leonardo.ai is an extension of that mission. Rather than fearing disruption, Canva embraced AI to strengthen its platform and expand its relevance, even in a rapidly shifting design industry.

This approach offers an important lesson for artists. It’s easy to see AI as a force that undermines traditional creativity, but Canva’s strategy underscores the value of adapting rather than resisting. By incorporating AI into their ecosystem, they’re not replacing creators—they’re empowering them to work faster and more efficiently, while making design accessible to new audiences.

“Canva’s example shows that survival in the face of technological change isn’t about competing against new tools, but about integrating them to enhance what’s possible.”

For artists, the question becomes: how can we use AI to expand our creative potential, rather than seeing it as a limitation?

Architecture

Rise of Parametric Design in Shaping the Future of Architecture

Parametric architecture, as highlighted in an article from Parametric Architecture, integrates computational tools and data-driven processes to craft adaptive, sustainable, and visually striking structures. This algorithm-based approach is reshaping architectural possibilities, delivering designs that were previously unattainable. The focus isn’t just on aesthetics—it’s about blending innovation with environmental mindfulness.

My understanding of parametric architecture is rooted in its dual commitment to form and function. What fascinates me is its ability to create intricate designs while maintaining low energy consumption and environmental harmony. It reminds me of the age-old debate: does form follow function, or does function follow form? Parametric architecture seems to answer boldly—why not both?

“It’s exciting to think that something algorithmic can also feel so organic—like nature itself played a role in the design.”

How will these technological tools shape not just buildings but the environments we live in?

Gaming

Take a Look at This Photorealistic 3D Italian City Scene Made With UE5

The recent article by Emma Collins on 80 Level highlights a stunning photorealistic 3D Italian city scene created in Unreal Engine 5 by Scans Factory. With over 600 photogrammetry-based assets captured in Rome, the scene is optimized for video games, VR, virtual production, and more, offering a cinematic experience that could easily be mistaken for real-life footage. The level of detail—from weathered cobblestones to reflective cutlery—delivers an immersive aesthetic that feels like stepping into an Italian postcard.

What fascinates me here is how these pre-made 3D environments are reshaping creative workflows. The ability to purchase a fully realized city and manipulate it with virtual cameras is a game-changer. As tools like OpenAI’s Soarer gain traction, integrating these assets into entirely new forms of storytelling becomes even more accessible.

"I’ve just spent the afternoon playing with Soarer, and it’s remarkable. Pairing these detailed 3D models with AI-powered video tools lets you combine your creativity with pre-existing digital worlds, unlocking storytelling possibilities we’re only beginning to grasp."

If you could create a virtual city to tell your own story, what would it look like?

Exhibitions & Events

Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet at the Tate Offers a Glimpse Into the Future Past

The recent article by Geoff Cox in The Conversation explores “Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet,” now showing at the Tate Modern. The exhibition examines how artists from the past imagined a future shaped by machines, offering a striking perspective on how those visions align—or don’t—with our reality today. From AI pioneers like Harold Cohen and his painting algorithms to Brion Gysin’s hallucinatory Dreamachine, the show situates early tech-art experiments in a context that resonates with today’s AI debates.

As someone who grew up enchanted by the optimistic tech futures of Star Trek, I’m fascinated by this idea of a “future past.” Many of the imagined breakthroughs—like handheld tablets—are now everyday tools. But the promises of cheap energy or medical marvels remain elusive, a reminder of how uneven progress can be.

"The exhibition revisits a past in which artists dreamed of a future that we are no longer able to envision," Cox observes, capturing the bittersweet tension between technological optimism and its missed opportunities.

How might today’s AI “dreams” look to someone decades from now? Will they marvel at our achievements—or lament what we failed to imagine altogether?

Digital Archiving and Art Preservation

Swiss Auction House Becomes First to Sell Artwork Authenticated Solely By AI

A recent piece from ARTnews, authored by George Nelson, highlights the Germann Auction House in Zürich selling a Marianne von Werefkin watercolor authenticated solely by AI. The work fetched nearly $17,000, double its high estimate, thanks to a free pilot collaboration with the Swiss-based company Art Recognition. Their standalone algorithm claims high accuracy without human judgment during evaluation, raising questions about the evolving role of AI in the art market.

I’ve long been intrigued by AI’s ability to trace provenance, but I can’t shake the sense that its use in auctions feels more like a marketing strategy than a seismic shift in authentication practices. Pairing AI with traditional expertise seems less about innovation and more about selling “trust” as a premium feature.

“If you were buying an expensive piece of art, would you really trust AI alone—or does its value lie in enhancing human judgment, not replacing it?”

Could this hybrid model become a new standard, or does it risk commodifying authenticity?

Future Trends in Art and Tech

The Future of Art Presentation: Merging Technology with Creative Expression

Janus from Artsology explores how technology is transforming art presentation, granting artists the ability to break geographical barriers and connect with global audiences. Digital tools offer innovative ways to showcase work, from virtual galleries to interactive experiences, emphasizing the evolution of art in a digital age. This shift not only enhances accessibility but also invites deeper engagement with the viewer.

"As someone deeply involved with nonprofits and partners aiding underrepresented artists, the potential of these technologies to promote and celebrate art is highly appealing. Many artists find marketing challenging, so any platform that amplifies their voice is invaluable. I'm particularly keen on discovering tools that simplify this process and increase visibility for diverse artists."

Could digital innovation be the answer to bridging the gap between artistic talent and global recognition? This transition poses both exciting opportunities and challenges for artists worldwide.

The Last Word

Thank you for spending time with me today to reflect on the ever-evolving intersection of art and technology. Your engagement fuels these explorations and keeps this dialogue alive. If any of these stories resonate with you—or spark new questions—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s continue exploring these fascinating intersections together and see where they lead us.

Warm regards, Juergen