Panelists:
- Kay Watson: Head of Arts Technologies, Serpentine Gallery
- Sam Mercer: Producer, The Photographers' Gallery
- Stefanie de Regel: Head of Development, TAEX.com
- Louis Jebb: Managing Editor, The Art Newspaper
The panel discussion on "Curating and Collecting AI" was a significant event that brought together experts from various institutions to share their insights on the intersection of art and advanced technologies. Louis Jebb from The Art Newspaper moderated the session, highlighting the importance of understanding AI in contemporary art.
Kay Watson from the Serpentine Gallery discussed their innovative projects integrating advanced technologies. She explained, "Our work focuses on technology, community, and production, supporting artists in developing ambitious projects." Watson highlighted initiatives like the Creative AI lab and the Future Art Ecosystems project, which aim to build 21st-century cultural infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, "Art, particularly when it comes to arts and technologies, is collaborative and involves a lot of people and different skill sets."
Sam Mercer from The Photographers' Gallery shared their approach to digital programs that began in 2012. He reflected on the evolution of their projects, such as the ImageNet visual recognition challenge and the ongoing focus on computational issues in photographic imagery. Mercer noted, "The problem with image datasets is that no one really looks at the images; they get collated and analyzed, but their impact is often overlooked."
Stefanie de Regel, Head of Development at TAEX.com, provided a detailed overview of their global digital art platform. Stefanie highlighted their recent Venice Biennale project, showcasing AI artists like Funa Ye. She explained, "We showcase, co-produce, and sell digital arts, focusing on bridging communities from Web3 and NFTs to traditional art forms." Stefanie emphasized the importance of storytelling in selling digital art, stating, "To explain this new ownership, you have to tell the story of the technology, the art, and the depth of what the artist is trying to convey."
Stefanie also shared insights into their collaborative efforts with Digital Art Week and the importance of educational outreach in demystifying digital art technologies. She noted, "Our aim is to emphasize the art over the technology, ensuring that the artistic value remains at the forefront."
Louis Jebb wrapped up the panel by posing critical questions about the future of data sets and ownership in AI art. He underscored the challenges artists and institutions face in engaging with AI technologies, asking, "Who controls access to the best tools? How can an artist engage when data is vested in large corporations?"
The session concluded with a robust discussion on the unique challenges of curating and collecting AI art. Panelists agreed that ongoing collaboration, innovation, and public engagement are necessary to navigate this rapidly evolving field.
VENUE:
Frieze Gallery, Number 9 Cork Street, London
DATE:
Thursday, 23 May 2024
