“Refik Anadol: Unsupervised” is Transforming The Way We Think Of AI
The MoMa’s new exhibit is showing us an untapped way of using AI. Displayed in an ever-changing art display, we’re able to see how generative AI is used in digital self-expression.
By Haneen Elmeswari
"Refik Anadol: Unsupervised" at the Museum of Modern Art [Image: courtesy Refik Anadol]
As AI continues to gain prominence in the technology industry, many founders are eager to get involved and grab a share of the action. With software like ChatGBT, we're seeing just how far AI can go when it comes to automating routine tasks, providing data analysis, and improving data accuracy in start-ups.
Up until now, AI has mainly been applied to business operations, but what happens when we start using it in the arts?
The perfect place for an entrepreneur to see this kind of tech in action is the Museum of Modern Art’s new exhibit “Refik Anadol: Unsupervised.” by Refik Anadol. Anadol is a Turkish-born media artist and director who is known for his pioneering work in the field of digital art and data visualization. He uses a variety of cutting-edge technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to create immersive installations and experiences that explore the relationship between humans and machines.
Anadol's latest exhibit involves a machine-learning model that utilizes publicly available data from MoMA's collection. The model delves into the vast array of the MoMA’s collection, reflecting on the history of modern art and envisioning what could have been and what lies ahead.
It is fascinating and amusing to witness how artificial intelligence can revive and reinvent artwork that is decades old in innovative ways, creating a unique experience that we have never seen before, unlike anything the human brain can do.
The exhibit is on the ground floor lobby of the Museum, so it grabs the attention of visitors right as they arrive. Presented on a towering, high-resolution screen, the abstract images morph hypnotically and ceaselessly. The exhibit is not for just walking past but has several couches surrounding it, so viewers can sit and absorb the imagery for at least ten minutes.
Each of the 10 sequences lasts a few minutes and switches between different animation styles. One of these simulates a seething, gravity-defying cloud of colorful fluid, the palette derived from pieces in MoMA's collection. The image pulsates in and out restlessly, with new colors constantly flowing into it. In high resolution, the screen at moments resembles that of a lava lamp, with a stimulated rainbow gloop that looks realistic and thick.
The exhibit can be viewed from November 19, 2022, to April 15, 2023, and is included with the purchase of an admissions ticket.
This exhibit showcases the potential of Generative AI and can serve as inspiration for business owners. By observing Anadol's unique and original artwork, business owners can gain insight into how they can use Generative AI to create entirely new pieces of art. By taking inspiration from a previous work of art and adding their own style, they can create something truly unique, just as Anadol has done.
Orginally Published in Founders Club
