~ SAF 2024’s AI Minilab, curated by French artist, technologist Mathieu Wothke, invites visitors to come and let their imaginations create artwork using artificial intelligence.
~ Art x Machine, another special project curated by Wothke for SAF 2024, brings together AI art created by India’s leading AI artists, exploring the intersection of tradition and technology.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has an innate ability to bring imaginative vision to life without effort and has emerged as a disruptive force in the creative industry, according to Mathieu Wothke, a renowned French artist and technologist, who is curating the AI Mini Lab segment at the upcoming Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) 2024.
His innovative contributions at SAF 2024, Asia’s biggest interdisciplinary arts festival, include the AI Mini Lab and a curated group show, Art X Machine, hosted at the Kala Academy in Panaji. These projects highlight the transformative power of AI in reshaping art and creativity while addressing its accessibility and impact.
“AI has emerged as a disruptive force in the creative industry,” he says, “and this year, our focus naturally gravitated towards exploring its vast possibilities.”
The AI Mini Lab, a centrepiece of Wothke’s vision, is an interactive exhibit designed to demystify AI’s creative capabilities for the general audience. Split into three engaging spaces, it invites participants to explore voice-to-visual setups, experiment with AI-powered apps on iPads and ultimately showcase their creations in an impromptu gallery. “The AI Mini Lab aims to educate and inspire and to demonstrate the limitless potential AI offers to reimagine creativity in a hands-on, approachable way,” Wothke explains.
The second project, Art X Machine, features groundbreaking works by leading Indian AI practitioners, offering a curated glimpse into how technology is shaping modern artistic expression. The show emphasises the balance between human ingenuity and machine-driven creativity, sparking conversations about authorship, originality and the future of art.
Beyond the captivating visuals and innovative displays, Wothke raises essential questions about AI’s environmental impact. “The energy consumption required for these systems is significant, yet sustainability debates remain limited,” he notes, encouraging a broader dialogue on ethical considerations in AI art.
For Wothke, the allure of AI lies in its ability to lend an imaginative vision to life effortlessly. “The tools available today make it possible to create stunning visuals in minutes, blurring the lines between professional artistry and accessibility,” he shares. However, he also acknowledges the challenges posed by oversaturation and questions of authenticity in the age of AI.
As the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024, which is scheduled to get underway on December 15, continues to bridge global art and technology, Wothke’s exhibits stand as a testament to the exciting yet complex future of AI in the cultural landscape.
