I have had the pleasure of listening to How will AI change our understanding of Art? on The Art Show with Daniel Browning, an ABC Radio National podcast. (Broadcast 8 February 2023).
This podcast is a welcome contrast to much of the current media that call for caution in the face of emerging AI attempts at creative work. While it certainly raises these concerns, it also balances the conversation with a healthy dose of excitement about the opportunities the AI presents.
Host Daniel Browning introduced the idea of, in the history of art (image making), the advent of photography freed artist from the preoccupation of creating only realistic depictions of the world. This technological advancement was followed by an incredible explosion in creativity.
To quote Kim Leutwyler, “I think that what it will do is that it will challenge people to innovate and think really creatively about a different way that they can go about creating an original piece of art that really feels distinctly their own, because the AI is only learning from things that already exist. And so you are having to find new and innovative ways to create things that don’t. To really make your mark. But it is going to challenge people.” (Approximately 26 minutes).
The invention of photography in the mid-19th century did have a profound impact on the world of art, particularly in the fields of painting and sculpture. It allowed artist to explore ways of viewing the world that could not be captured by photography. These include movements such as Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, and Futurism.
This idea has been bubbling around for a few days, and I find it an exciting prospect. It reminds me of “Secret Knowledge” by David Hockney.
Hockney proposes that artists as early as the Renaissance, and possibly even earlier, used various optical devices such as lenses, mirrors, and camera obscuras to aid in the creation of their artwork. He examines the works of artists such as Jan van Eyck, Caravaggio, and Vermeer, among others, and presents evidence to support his theory.
However, it should be noted that Hockney’s theory has been met with some criticism from art historians who argue that the use of optical devices was not as widespread as Hockney suggests. Nevertheless, “Secret Knowledge” remains an important contribution to the field of art history, prompting further discussion and debate on the subject.
