Generative AI and the Arts: “art is essentially social”
The discussion around the effect of generative AI on art seems to neglect something crucial about art, which is its relationship with society. By broadening this conversation to include art’s relationship to society, differences between human art and generative AI art may be more clearly seen. This essay seeks to do so, and also leads to some hopeful speculations on how art may change in the future.
Statement on work, 18 October 2023
As I work with sometimes charged themes and imagery, I need to say more about the origins and themes in my work. This post lays out my inspirations and motivations more fully.
Mark Neville: Stop Tanks With Books
War’s been on my mind for a while now. I’ve been meaning to write something about Neville’s book, which he intended as a call to international action to prevent a war. Recent events have pushed this post to the top of my pile.
Josh Kline: Project for a New American Century
On a thought-provoking survey of Kline’s work at the Whitney Museum.
Jordan Nassar: A Mountain Looms
The artist extends his reach.
Laura Poitras and Nan Goldin: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
To speak from the other side of a void.
David Hockney: 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures
Generative AI and the Arts: 10 Extrapolations
It seems everyone and their grandmother are offering their hot takes. Here are mine.
Charles Ray: Figure Ground
Some thoughts following Ray’s recent retrospective show at the Met.
Avant-Garde Mannerism
The artistic avant-garde of the 20th century shook the world, with a strong lingering legacy today. This brief essay has the aim to get clearer on this legacy.
Michaël Borremans: The Acrobat
Borremans’s oblique view of our world.
Christina Quarles: In 24 Days tha Sun’ll Set at 7pm
Abdulnasser Gharem: Hospitable Thoughts
The language of contemporary art — its modes and discourses — has become, for better and worse, the lingua franca for global art practices. Gharem shows that this language can be adapted with a fresh power and directness.