Amsterdam – a journey into AI, Fusion Art and Tech
As part of my DYCP R&D, I went on a journey of exploration to the global hub of innovation – Amsterdam, visiting festivals, events and exhibitions 15th-17th Dec 2023.
NXT Museum
Nestled within the unassuming neighbourhood of Nord, the NXT Museum in Amsterdam emerges as a beacon of innovation housed within a former TV/film and media studio, lending itself as a black box playground filled with rigs and opportunities.
As the first museum in the Netherlands dedicated to new media art, NXT Museum embarks on a journey to decipher contemporary complexities through the lens of modern tools and artistic expression.
‘Life in a Different Resolution’
Curated by Bogomir Doringer, the main exhibition, ‘Life in a Different Resolution’ by Random International, unfolds as a mesmerising exploration of the intersection between human experience and technological advancement. Established in 2005, Random International is a trailblazing postdigital art group renowned for their boundary-pushing interactive installations.
The exhibition includes six expansive works that invite visitors into a realm of contemplation and wonder. Among these, the ‘Living Room’ installation, created in collaboration with Aorist, stands as a testament to the group’s ingenuity, following its triumph during Miami Art Week in December 2022.
Random International’s work transcends conventional boundaries, delving into the essence of what it means to be alive in the digital age. Their works prompt profound contemplation on the intricacies of human perception, societal dynamics, and the symbiotic relationship between man and machine.
‘Presence and Erasure – Do you feel seen?’ challenges viewers to confront the nuances of surveillance technology and its implications on privacy, blurring the lines between observation and intrusion. Upon entering the room, your face is captured almost immediately and scanned onto the surface of what looks like ply.
Meanwhile, ‘Our Future Selves – What makes you, ‘you’?’ (seen below) offers a tantalising glimpse into the enigma of self-perception, teasing the boundaries between familiarity and mystery. This was utterly mesmerising, almost spiritual, a glimpse into what could be, you in the future.
‘Swarm Study XIII – What moves you?’ draws inspiration from nature’s harmonious choreography, prompting reflection on the interplay between synthetic and organic intelligence. ‘Motherflock III – Are you a part of the whole?’ introduces a revolutionary concept of communal ownership in the digital realm, blurring the boundaries between physical and virtual existence.
The exhibition’s most captivating piece, ‘The Living Room – Do you feel led?’, redefines spatial dynamics, beckoning visitors into an ethereal realm where architecture and atmosphere come together in a mesmerising dance. Image and video below.
Lastly, ‘Fifteen Points – Do you like objects or people?’ disrupts conventional perceptions, revealing the complexities of human cognition in interpreting minimalist movements and structures.
‘Life in a Different Resolution’ continues till 30 June 2024.
‘Realtime Lilypads: Mediating Exponential Systems’
After immersing myself in ‘Life in a Different Resolution’, I visited NXT’s ‘Realtime Lilypads: Mediating Exponential Systems.’
Housed within NXT’s expansive ‘Stage room’, this exhibition showcases largescale digitally projected artworks. With a commitment to presenting fresh perspectives on innovation, ‘Realtime’ features artists who are at the forefront of digital technology, offering insights into the rapidly evolving pace of our digital world.
This first iteration of ‘Realtime,’ titled ‘Lilypads: Mediating Exponential Systems,’ displays the works of three artists: Amelia Winger Bearskin, Libby Heaney, and Entangled Others Studio with Robert M. Thomas. The ‘lilypad’ serves as a metaphor, inviting viewers to delve into the intricate web of exponential systems that shape our society’s ecologies, technologies, cultures, and economies.
The exhibition explores of the role of artists as systems thinkers, navigating the complexities of exponential growth in our technologically driven world. As technological advancements continue to accelerate at an unprecedented rate, the artists reflect on the implications of exponential systems on our planet’s finite resources and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
The artists invite audiences to reconsider our relationship with the digital and physical worlds, prompting reflections on interspecies communication, climate understanding, and the interconnectedness of global systems. AI again, emerges as a central theme within the exhibition, offering a lens through which to explore alternative views of the world. The artists harness the power of AI to transcend human boundaries, creating immersive experiences that blur the lines between reality and imagination.
In ‘Q Is For Climate (?)’ by Libby Heaney, viewers are transported into a surreal landscape that moves between vibrancy and decay, inviting contemplation on the complexities of climate change and quantum mechanics. Dr. Heaney’s multidisciplinary approach bridges the gap between art and science, creating sensory worlds that challenge our perceptions and provoke critical inquiry.
Light Festival
From 30 Nov 2023 to 21 Jan 2024, more than 20 light artworks illuminated the iconic canals of Amsterdam, offering a captivating fusion of art and technology against the backdrop of the city’s picturesque waterways with Amsterdam’s renowned Light Festival: Edition 12, titled ‘Revealing Art, AI and Tech’.
Themed ‘LOADING…,’ the Amsterdam Light Festival invited artists through an Open Call to explore the effects of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) on our everyday lives. Through a diverse array of light installations, the festival prompted reflections on the impact of digital evolution on the human condition, societal norms, and the boundaries of technological advancement.
Two installations particularly stood out for me: Mischa Kuball’s ‘my absence is your presence’ and Liam Campbell’s ‘Cell Phone.’ Kuball’s conceptual piece delves into the invisible influence of AI in our daily lives, highlighting how our actions shape our experiences in the digital realm. Campbell’s ‘Cell Phone’ offers a poignant reflection on society’s growing dependence on technology, presenting a larger-than-life rendition of our relationship with our devices as both assets and addictions.
These thought-provoking installations serve as poignant reminders of the profound impact of technology on contemporary society, inviting viewers to contemplate the boundaries between human existence and technological advancement in an increasingly interconnected world. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, artworks like these offer valuable insights into the evolving nature of our relationship with technology and the implications for our collective future.
I can’t help but envision the potential of a similar light festival on the Isle of Wight, building upon the success of New Carnival’s ‘Merry & Bright Light Festival’ and the Isle of Wight’s Dark Skies Festival. Moreover, by aligning with the Dark Skies Festival, the light festival could highlight the island’s commitment to preserving its natural environment and celebrating its status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Through eco-friendly installations and educational initiatives, the festival could raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet and embracing sustainable practices. The New Carnival are making examples of this through their incredible work on the Island.
Maybe there could be future conversations between festivals, as Amsterdam became the first city in the world in 2020 to commit to becoming a 100% circular economy by 2050, aiming to halve its use of virgin materials by 2030. The city has developed open-access tools and methodologies that are helping accelerate the transition to a circular economy. These fall under three key sectors: food and organic waste streams, consumer goods, and the built environment. More on this here via the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy news story.
Radar Festival
While in Amsterdam, I had the pleasure of immersing myself in the ‘Radar Festival – Beyond Music‘.
From 16-20 Dec 2023, this dynamic event showcased a series of exciting collaborations between outstanding Bulgarian artists and local standouts, promising open-minded projects that seamlessly blended jazz, electronica, and beatboxing. What struck me most about this festival was its celebration of collaboration and fusion across different music styles. By bringing together musicians from diverse backgrounds and genres, the festival offered a unique opportunity to experience the transformative power of interdisciplinary collaboration.
By witnessing the live dynamic interactions between musicians, as attendees, we gain a deeper understanding of the connections between sound, imagery, and emotion. Beyond mere entertainment, events like the ‘Radar Festival’ serve as catalysts for cultural exchange and dialogue. By bringing together artists from different cultural backgrounds, the festival fosters cross-cultural understanding and promotes diversity and inclusion within the arts. In today’s increasingly interconnected world, it’s more important than ever to break down the barriers between different art forms and explore the intersections between them. Collaborative events like the ‘Radar Festival’ provide a platform for artists to experiment, innovate, and push the boundaries of creativity.
Reflections & considerations
As I reflect on my experiences in Amsterdam, in a world often divided by differences, events like these remind us of the universal language of creativity that transcends borders and unites us all. I found myself captivated by the transformative potential of art and technology showcased in exhibitions like ‘Life in a Different Resolution’ at NXT Museum. Its exploration of the intersection between art, artificial intelligence (AI), and human experience, serves as a springboard for infusing innovation and inspiration into our own creative practices and initiatives for festivals and exhibitions right here on our Island.
I’m starting to think about how artists on the Isle of Wight might address issues of AI alongside pressing local concerns such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, high levels of deprivation, and reduced literacy and oracy skills in young people – there’s so many possibilities for meaningful artistic engagement. The integration of AI-driven artworks could serve as a powerful catalyst for raising awareness and creating dialogue around environmental issues. Creatives and artists could collaborate with local communities to form immersive installations that visualise the impacts of climate change on our island, maybe using AI to simulate future scenarios and inspire action towards sustainability and resilience.
Moreover, festivals and exhibitions on the Isle of Wight could serve as platforms for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together artists, scientists, educators, and community activists to explore innovative solutions to local challenges. AI-driven artworks could be used to collect and analyse data on environmental trends, facilitating informed decision-making and fostering a deeper understanding of complex ecological systems.
In addressing issues of deprivation and educational attainment, artists on the IW could leverage AI technologies to develop interactive learning experiences that engage young people in creative expression and critical thinking. Collaborative projects between artists and local schools could empower students to explore themes of identity, community, and social justice through digital art, music, and storytelling.
As a Creative Producer, I see myself facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations and supporting artists in exploring innovative approaches to their practice. Through the work I am currently leading on with Creative Island and the IW Creative Network, we can empower local creatives to push the boundaries of their work and engage with emerging technologies in meaningful ways. Experiencing these festivals and exhibitions has served as a source of inspiration for reimagining the role of art and technology, addressing pressing social and environmental issues on the Isle of Wight. By harnessing the creative potential of AI alongside local expertise and community engagement, we can pave the way for transformative festivals and exhibitions that celebrate the unique identity and resilience of our Island.