Istanbul-born artist Refik Anadol showcases the first AI-driven exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, pushing the boundaries of creativity and addressing ethical considerations surrounding AI technology.
Artist Refik Anadol Brings AI to MoMA
Refik Anadol, an Istanbul-born artist fascinated by the intersection of computers and art since childhood, has made history with his exhibition Unsupervised (2023) at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. This exhibition is notable for being the first at MoMA to employ generative artificial intelligence (AI). A dedicated sci-fi enthusiast, Anadol has long been intrigued by the concept of machines that can think.
Anadol has previously exhibited his work at venues such as the Venice Biennale, the Pompidou-Metz Center in Paris, and Casa Batlló in Barcelona. Over the years, his team has delved into a variety of data sources, including heartbeats, weather patterns, and brain activity, in efforts to “paint or sculpt with data.”
Anadol’s formal journey with AI began in 2016 as Google’s first resident artist, a pivotal moment that catalyzed his exploration of AI’s artistic capabilities. His project Unsupervised at MoMA involved training an AI model with 820,000 images of MoMA’s collection to generate new shapes, colors, and patterns, pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Despite his innovative use of AI, Anadol acknowledges the ethical debates surrounding the technology. He emphasizes the importance of ethical practices and taking responsibility for the data used in creating AI-driven art. While he believes AI has significant creative potential, he also recognizes that it still mirrors human input and lacks the independent consciousness of human artists.
Anadol has collaborated with major tech companies like Google and Nvidia, drawing parallels between today’s tech partnerships and the artist-merchant relationships of the Renaissance era. While some in the creative community oppose the use of AI, Anadol advocates for responsible and unique applications of this technology.
Looking ahead, Anadol is excited about future projects, including a new immersive exhibition set for Los Angeles in 2025, aiming to engage all senses and further demystify AI for the public.
