The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art - From Earth to the Moon: Creativity in Unexpected Places

Greetings from Juergen

Hi everyone,

This week is a mix of stories—and a little humor along the way. From Sasha Mingia’s haunting photo series exploring the fragility of memory to Mikael Genberg’s bold plan to send a Swedish red cottage to the Moon, these pieces challenge how we see the world and our place in it.

You’ll also read about the changing dynamics of art authentication as AI companies begin to merge with human expertise, and how Birkenstock is making a case for its sandals as applied art. Finally, there’s a thought-provoking look at the digital transformation of art fairs, where technology is breaking down barriers but also raising questions about what might be lost in translation.

Explore these stories in audio form with "The Intersect" podcast, where we unpack the nuances of art and tech each week. Subscribe to join the conversation!

Public Art

Swedish Red Cottage Flies to the Moon

Swedish artist Mikael Genberg is sending a bright red Swedish cottage to the Moon, according to a report from PRNewswire. Launching on January 15 from the Kennedy Space Center via ispace’s lunar rover and lander, Genberg’s “MoonHouse” blends art, architecture, and—let’s be honest—a sense of humor. This whimsical project comes after 25 years of planning, proving that sometimes the wildest concepts really can break orbit.

I have to admit, this made me laugh. Is this what happens when space agencies and artists collaborate? NASA might be running out of ideas, but Genberg’s playful vision is hard not to admire.

“It’s exciting that something so original and unmistakably Swedish... will highlight our Earthly destination for years to come,” said Susanne Andersson of Visit Sweden. Highlight it, or confuse passing aliens?

What’s next? A Starbucks on Mars? Let me know your thoughts.

AI in Visual Arts

AI Authentication Company and Art Analysis Firm Merge, With Plans to Redefine The Field

Hephaestus Analytical’s recent acquisition of the scientific art analysis firm ArtDiscovery, as reported by ARTnews, shifts the dynamics of art authentication. With this merger, the AI-driven company gains access to ArtDiscovery’s extensive pigment database, spectral libraries, and seasoned team of conservators. The goal? To set “the world’s highest evidentiary standards in art authentication,” according to Hephaestus CEO Denis Moiseev.

What stands out to me is the direction of this acquisition. It’s not the traditional art analysis firm adopting AI tools—it’s the AI company acquiring human expertise and their knowledge base. This reversal signals something larger about the balance between technology and human skill in fields like authentication.

“Joining Hephaestus feels like we are catching up with the digital world,” said Nica Gutman Rieppi, managing director of ArtDiscovery. “We are now able to…provide our customers with definitive answers, all in less time and with even greater accuracy.”

Are we looking at a future where AI companies become the custodians of human expertise?

In Depth: On My Substack Blog

E-Ink Displays: Transforming How We Collect and Show Art at Home

E-ink displays, as I discussed in my recent Substack post, are transforming how art is collected and displayed. While many readers echoed their preference for printed, original artworks, I can’t help but view this innovation through the lens of generational shifts. These devices aren’t necessarily for those of us who’ve already curated collections over decades.

"As a Gen X, I’m at the end of my collector’s journey, surrounded by the meaningful artworks I’ve gathered—family pieces and inherited treasures. But for younger audiences, raised as digital natives with less wall space and different priorities, these displays offer entirely new possibilities."

Working with nonprofits supporting young artists, I see how such technology could foster accessibility and engagement. Will this generation redefine what it means to "own" art, or are we simply broadening the ways art can exist in modern life?

Substack

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Photography

Erased Reality: Exploring the Boundaries of Memory

Sasha Mingia’s “Erased Reality” is a striking photo series featured in an article by Arseny Vesnin. Mingia’s work, assembled in 2022 from her archive of 2010s-era photographs, erases familiar details from scenes in Abkhazia and a defunct Moscow amusement park. The result? Spaces that feel like half-formed memories, exploring themes of loss, forgetting, and how we interpret the past. Her project also stirs dialogue about the impact of gaslighting on memory and perception.

Looking at her images, I’m reminded of when I first started photography with pinhole cameras I built myself. With no viewfinder, every shot was intuitive and imperfect. The long exposures and unpredictable results created photographs that felt organic—and strangely alive. Mingia’s work carries that same deliberate mystery, where what’s missing is just as important as what’s left behind.

“Reality is a ghost. It’s like having a dream in which very familiar places and events from the past are dreamed deserted.”

When memory becomes subjective, does it distort truth—or create a new one altogether?

A City on Fire Can’t Be Photographed

The New Yorker’s piece, “A City on Fire Can’t Be Photographed” by Dan Piepenbring, examines why images of disasters, like the fires in Los Angeles, fail to endure. The article argues that these photographs no longer serve as lasting symbols—they’re consumed and discarded by our relentless demand for newness. They convey urgency but rarely invite deeper reflection, making them fleeting artifacts of devastation rather than contemplative works of art.

This idea resonates deeply. Our ways of seeing, as Piepenbring suggests, feel inadequate. Fires, hurricanes, or floods—all these disasters blur together in our newsfeeds, their profound meanings reduced to scrollable content. As someone who values art’s ability to make us pause, I wonder if we’ve lost the patience to truly sit with these images and let them disturb us, as they should.

“These photographs and videos won’t last... They are victims of an unremitting public need for novelty. The meanings of these images... do not invite their use as objects of contemplation.”

The question nags: Have we trained ourselves to skim tragedies, or has the sheer volume of them made us numb?

Definitely Not AI

Birkenstock Sues ‘Copycat’ Rivals Claiming Its Sandals Are Applied Art

German footwear icon Birkenstock is taking alleged “copycat” rivals to court, claiming its cork-soled sandals qualify as “applied art.” As reported in The Guardian, Birkenstock argues that models like the Arizona and Boston Clog deserve copyright protection akin to works of artistic design, citing precedents like the Porsche 356 and Bauhaus-inspired furniture.

Birkenstock’s position raises eyebrows—and questions. Have they never heard of patents? Isn’t copyright supposed to cover this already? Still, I was intrigued to learn that copyright law has previously recognized certain functional designs as art. Apparently, “wearable art” isn’t just a metaphor when it comes to German courts.

“Under copyright law it has been recognised for decades that outstanding designs of everyday objects can also be protected by copyright,” said the company’s lawyer, Konstantin Wegner.

So, are Birkenstocks just sandals with great branding—or bona fide art for your feet?

Future Trends in Art and Tech

The Future of Art Fairs and Adapting to an Increasingly Digital World

Art fairs are evolving, and Gaston La-Gaffe’s article on FAD Magazine highlights how digital tools are reshaping the space. By blending virtual and physical experiences, organizers are expanding access, offering hybrid models that include features like virtual viewing rooms and augmented reality. These innovations bring the art to enthusiasts who might not be able to attend in person, ensuring broader engagement without losing the essence of the traditional fair.

What stood out to me is how these changes are chipping away at the old exclusivity model. Art fairs used to thrive on scarcity—limited access, limited time—but now they’re embracing openness. This doesn’t diminish their importance; it redefines it to include more voices and perspectives.

"Using digital platforms to showcase art means organizers can create continuous engagement opportunities throughout the year."

Will these digital shifts lead to a richer cultural exchange, or is something irreplaceable still lost in translation?

The Last Word

Thanks for spending your time with me. If any of these topics sparked your curiosity or made you pause, I’d love to hear your thoughts—your perspectives help keep this conversation vibrant.

Feel free to share this newsletter with others who might enjoy it, or let me know if there’s a story you think I should explore next. Let’s keep discovering how creativity and technology shape our world together.

Warm regards, Juergen