In the art world, there is currently a significant debate surrounding the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative endeavours. Many artists and writers are expressing concerns that advanced AI art generators, such as ChatGTP and Midjourney, could potentially diminish opportunities for human creators. Conversely, some artists view AI as simply another creative tool to be embraced.
The Jepson and Telfair Children’s Art Museum are immersing themselves in the realm of AI art with the latest edition of the PULSE Art + Technology Festival.
Harry DeLorme, the Director of Education and Senior Curator, articulated, “We aim to encourage individuals to perceive technology not merely as something we consume, but rather as a source of vast creative potential – even in the age of AI.”
Local Savannah-area artists and universities are contributing to the PULSE Art + Technology Festival. This year’s PULSE will feature an exhibition entitled “Analog to AI,” showcasing works by artists that make use of a wide array of new and old technologies, such as chat bots, LED lights, and GIFs.
One installation, “Small Talk” by Will Penny, encourages visitors to engage in conversation with a quirky toy enhanced by AI.
Moreover, a project by SCAD named “Posthumanism” presents a cyberpunk aesthetic and integrates ChatGTP to connect with the viewer’s image through several small screens.
Another thought-provoking exhibit examines our relationship with phones and handheld devices, allowing individuals to provide comfort to a stressed-out phone.
The festival also highlights artworks such as “Glow” by Katie Hagen, which uses LED lights to fabricate a remarkable sculpture, and “A Lossy Existence” by Bryce Winter, displaying a series of GIFs that seek to explore the human experience.
The diverse array of projects also encompasses contributions from unexpected sources. For example, a work from Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus uses GIFs to make a serious statement in an unconventional manner.
Additionally, Georgia Tech is planning a community map-making data art project that connects the museum’s ongoing exhibition about birds with an analysis of bird data from the Savannah area, encouraging people to contribute their own data and bird sightings to support the project.
In addition to art installations, PULSE offers a range of activities including a student talk and a special screening of a classic sci-fi anime on Friday evening. The festival culminates with Family Day on Saturday, featuring LED pin making, artist projections, and a performance by the Tybee Ballet Theater.
PULSE Art + Technology Festival is a family-friendly event that appeals to all generations. It has consistently been a major attraction at the Jepson Museum, attracting up to a thousand visitors each day.
The festival offers a unique opportunity to witness the fusion of art and technology, and to embrace the creative possibilities that arise in the digital age.
For those interested in attending, the details are as follows:
What: PULSE Art + Technology Festival 2024
When: Jan. 26-27
Where: Jepson Center & Telfair Children’s Art Museum, 207 W. York St.
Cost: Free for Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Jasper, and Beaufort County residents
Info: telfair.org
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