Art's New Frontiers: From Promptography to Gaming Worlds

The Intersect of Tech and Art

In this edition, we're traversing the landscapes where technology and art not only meet but reshape each other. We start with Maja Korczyńska's exploration of identity in the digital age, questioning how AI-generated imagery challenges our perceptions of truth. We then shift gears to the economic hurdles facing UK artists, with AI playing a pivotal yet controversial role. Over in Australia, technology is infusing new life into the art scene, blending digital tools with traditional creativity.

From the rebranding of AI-generated art as "promptography" to the intersection of gaming and cinema, we’re witnessing shifts that redefine creative expression. Each piece invites us to consider how these innovations impact our understanding and experience of art, urging us to look beyond the surface.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/31 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• The concept of the 'post face' explores the fluidity of identity in our digital age.
• Artists in the UK face financial challenges as earnings drop significantly since 2010.
• Australian artists are embracing technology, creating immersive experiences that push creative boundaries.
• The rise of promptography raises questions about authorship in the era of AI-generated art.
• Architecture can foster community and connection, transcending mere functionality in design.
• A growing preference for analog aesthetics signifies a desire for authenticity in a digital world.

Let's break down each topic to make these complex intersections more digestible.

Infinite Artist: Fragmented Identities in the Digital Age

One of the standout features in issue number 31 is Maya Cortiesca's project, "Infinite Artist," which explores our fragmented identities in the digital age. Cortiesca uses AI and algorithms to visualize how our identities are continuously shifting and transforming. This concept is captured through what she terms as the "post face," an idea rooted in the post-truth world where AI-generated images blur the lines between what is real and what is fabricated.

Her work challenges us to reflect on the implications of AI-generated images. If images can be manipulated so easily, what does this mean for our perception of truth? Cortiesca posits that our faces have become masks that are constantly adjusted, reflecting not just our physical appearance but a dynamic visual representation of our digital identities. By exploring this concept, she brings forth an unsettling but necessary conversation on how we navigate authenticity in a visually saturated digital world.

Economic Struggles of UK Visual Artists

Transitioning from the digital realm to real-world challenges, the newsletter highlights a pressing issue faced by visual artists in the UK. According to a study by the Design and Artists Copyright Society, visual artists in the UK have seen a significant 40% drop in earnings since 2010. Their median income is now only around £12,500, starkly contrasting with the glamorous image often associated with the art world.

Contributing factors include inflation, funding cuts, and the omnipresent impact of AI. While AI isn’t solely to blame, it is considered the straw that broke the camel’s back, adding to the already difficult situation exacerbated by Brexit. Dr. Amy Thomas, a researcher on the report, reinforces that the challenges UK artists face might not be exclusive to them, hinting at potential global ramifications. The conversation about the precarity of artists’ livelihoods reveals a complex web of economic, political, and technological factors impacting the art world.

Australia’s High-Tech Art Scene

In contrast to the gloom surrounding the UK art scene, Australia’s contemporary art scene is thriving, thanks in part to its enthusiastic embrace of technology. As highlighted by Gaston Le Goff in FAD Magazine, Australian artists and institutions are creating immersive experiences by integrating AR, VR, and AI into their work. Artists like Stuart Campbell (Sutu Eats Flies) are leading the charge with captivating AR and VR storytelling that blurs the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds.

Institutions like the Australian Centre for the Moving Image are incorporating AI into their installations, creating spellbinding soundscapes and visuals. Le Goff captures the essence of this movement, noting how new mediums and tools are enabling creative individuals to craft unprecedented forms of artwork. This openness to experimentation and fusion has positioned Australia as a vibrant hub where art and technology intersect harmoniously.

Promptography: Traditional Photography Meets AI

Emerging from the dialogue between traditional artistry and cutting-edge technology is the concept of "promptography," a term championed by artist Boris Eldagsen and coined by Christian Vince. Promptography distinguishes AI-generated art from traditional photography, sparking debates about authorship and the legitimacy of AI-created works as "art."

Unlike traditional photography, where the photographer captures an existing scene, promptography involves generating an image from a textual description. Artists like Marcus Wallander argue that, while AI introduces unpredictability, it is the artist's role to shape that into a cohesive and compelling vision. This ongoing debate questions the essence of creativity and the artist’s role when collaborating with AI, offering a new perspective on digital art.

Architecture: The Unifying Force

The newsletter also digs into the evolving landscape of parametric architecture, focusing on the works of Renzo Piano and Frank Gehry, two luminaries who use technology to push the boundaries of architectural design. Renzo Piano’s philosophy that architecture should unify and connect people is evident in his iconic structures like The Shard and Kansai Airport. Juergen shares a personal reflection on appreciating architectural common spaces, emphasizing how these areas bridge social divides.

Similarly, Frank Gehry’s use of KTI software, originally designed for aerospace engineering, helps create groundbreaking structures like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Gehry’s work blurs the lines between art and engineering, demonstrating how technology can unlock new forms of creative expression.

The Intersection of Gaming and Cinema

A fascinating aspect covered by the newsletter is the blending of video games and movies, a fusion that Ernest Hemingway delves into on newdigitalstorytelling.net. Video games are increasingly incorporating cinematic storytelling elements, while movies draw inspiration from the immersive worlds of games, creating a creative feedback loop. Advancements in technology such as motion capture and AR are pushing boundaries, resulting in experiences that are more realistic and immersive.

This seamless borrowing of ideas and techniques has elevated both industries, making it harder to distinguish where one ends and the other begins. The melding of gaming and cinema suggests that we may be on the brink of a new art form, one that combines the immersive engagement of games with the narrative depth of films.

Practical and Artistic Endeavors in Space: AstroBeat

We also cover the innovative AstroBeat project from the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCF), which combines practical space research with artistic expression. On the practical side, they’re researching cold welding for spacecraft repairs aboard the International Space Station. Complementing this, they pair scientific endeavors with live-streamed musical performances inspired by the vastness of space.

Dr. Leonardo Berillaro, the project lead, believes this fusion of art and science makes space more relatable and accessible. However, it raises questions about whether these two disciplines are genuinely interconnecting or merely layered atop each other. The contrast and tension between the practical and the abstract provoke thought about what constitutes a successful collaboration.

Analog Aesthetics: A Counter-Movement to Digital Perfection

Amidst the surge of digital technology, there’s a growing counter-movement towards analog aesthetics. Canva’s 2025 design trend report shows a surge in demand for elements like scrapbooking, sketchy lines, and handwritten fonts. This trend signifies a craving for the tangible and authentic in an era dominated by digital perfection.

Fast Company reports that people are increasingly turning to hand-drawn, organic elements to stand out in a sea of slick, AI-generated content. This shift towards analog authenticity suggests a deeper cultural yearning for connection and human touch in a world that often feels impersonal and automated.

Wrapping Up

Issue number 31 of The Intersect offers a compelling exploration of the symbiotic relationship between art and technology. From grappling with the blurred lines of digital identities and the economic hardships of UK artists to the thriving tech-infused art scene in Australia and the rising trend of analog aesthetics, the newsletter presents various facets of this dynamic interplay. As we continue to navigate this evolving landscape, one thing is clear: the intersection of art and technology holds endless possibilities, enriching our understanding of both fields and shaping the future in exciting and unpredictable ways. Find the original articles and insights for this episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/31