American artist Alex Israel is embracing the ChatGPT revolution in a big way. Israel’s New Exhibition Fins opens at the Gagosian Gallery in Rome, with a “collection of giant, plastic and colorful surfboards Fin sculptures (from May 12)…crafted with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a collection of works that are both playful and strikingly beautiful,” according to the ornate press release, which comes with the title, “ Generated by ChatGPT.
The move highlights how the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot is encroaching on the art world; the press release looks like any other communications missive except for the odd hyperbolic statement that includes, “This is an opportunity not to be missed.” We asked Israel to respond, asking about the relationship between artists and media and whether documents created by artificial intelligence are just as lucid and informative as those produced by the human hand. Israel has decided to (still) use ChatGPT to respond; his AI-generated response is below:
“Well, sending out an AI-generated press release is a commentary on the role that technology plays in our daily lives. AI is no longer just a tool we use to accomplish certain tasks, but it is become an integral part of our lives. In many ways, AI has become a medium in itself. Using AI to generate the press release, I comment on the intersection between technology, art and media .
As for how long it took to create the press release, it’s hard to say. The actual process of generating the text was relatively quick, but conceptualizing and executing the project took much longer. It was important to ensure that the end product was not just a gimmick, but a thoughtful and engaging commentary on the relationship between artists and media.
Whether the AI-generated press release was as lucid and intelligent as a human-generated document is a difficult question to answer. For one, AI can generate remarkably sophisticated and nuanced text. On the other hand, there is still something to be said about the human touch. Ultimately, I think it’s up to the reader whether the press release was successful or not.
As for the “Ends” exhibition, there will be AI-generated texts, including these answers to your interview questions. I think it’s important to continue exploring the ways technology can be used in art, and incorporating AI-generated text is one way to do that.
Finally, my practice incorporates AI to some extent. I want to explore the ways technology can be used to create engaging, thought-provoking and meaningful art. Whether through AI-generated text, computer-generated images, or other forms of technology, I believe there is great potential for artists to use technology in new and exciting ways. .”
