How Early Photography Ethics Influence Modern Art

The Intersect of Tech and Art

This episode of the Intersect continues with the complex relationship between art and technology, exploring themes from the ethical implications of early photography to the transformative influence of AI on the art world.

The discussion begins with Shalini Amerasing Ganendra's article on the ethical dilemmas faced in anthropological photography, particularly regarding indigenous cultures and consent. The hosts then shift to Rocco Venezia's imaginative project that envisions a moon populated with people, prompting reflections on trust and authenticity in a post-truth era. As the conversation progresses, they tackle the rising significance of AI in creative fields, questioning whether it enhances or diminishes the value of human artistry. The episode also highlights innovative collaborations between artists and roboticists, showcasing how creativity can lead to unexpected breakthroughs in technology.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/27 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• The podcast discusses the ethical implications of early photography, especially concerning indigenous peoples.
• AI's potential impact on art raises questions about authenticity and value in creative expression.
• Rocco Venezia's project explores a future where the moon hosts a community of people.
• The balance between technology and human creativity is crucial in today's art landscape.
• The conversation highlights the importance of human-centered design amidst rising AI influence.

Links:

• How Artists Improvise and Provoke Robotics - The piece by Steve Benford on arXiv explores how artists collaborate with roboticists, blending improvisation and provocation to challenge robotic research. Projects like Brendan Walker’s Broncomatic and Blast Theory’s Cat Royale illustrate how creative minds can push the boundaries of traditional robotics, often forcing researchers to rethink their methods in real-time.
• Design trends for 2025: creative leaders share their vision for the future - The article from Creative Boom explores predictions for 2025, revealing how AI will shift from being a behind-the-scenes tool to driving final design outputs. Yet, with AI’s rise, we’re also seeing a counter-trend: a resurgence of physical, handcrafted experiences and human connection. Designers are pushing back against mass production, embracing craft and sustainability.
• Texas A&M’s Visualization Graduate Programs Merge Art and Technology - Texas A&M’s graduate programs in Visualization, as highlighted by the original article from pvfa.tamu.edu, offer a unique blend of art and technology. Full funding is available for MFA students, and MS students have access to scholarships and assistantships. The programs emphasize areas like augmented reality, game design, and data visualization, preparing students to become leaders in both creative and technical fields.
• Visions Of Nature: Mixed-Reality In London’s Natural History MuseumVisions Of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience At London’s Natural History Museum - The article by Forbes covers the Natural History Museum’s Visions of Nature experience, a mixed-reality exhibit that uses Microsoft’s Hololens 2 to immerse visitors in future ecosystems. Developed alongside the French studio Saola, the exhibit lets users interact with digital creatures, such as a whale hybrid or a crab entangled in plastic, while moving through the museum’s physical space.
• The Living End: Painting and Other Technologies, 1970–2020 - The Visualist’s article, The Living End: Painting and Other Technologies, 1970–2020, digs into the persistent idea that painting is dead—an idea critics have been toying with for decades. However, as the article highlights, artists have continually reinvigorated the medium, blending it with technology to keep it evolving over the last 50 years.
• 'A Real Leap of Faith': Swiss Auction House to Offer Works Authenticated by AI - A recent piece from The Art Newspaper explores the decision by a Swiss auction house to offer AI-authenticated artworks. The works, by artists like Louise Bourgeois and Marianne von Werefkin, come with certificates from Art Recognition, a Swiss company using AI to verify authenticity. Some are skeptical, while others see it as a way to enhance credibility, as noted by auction house rep Fabio Sidler.
• Instant Photo Roast Generators : zingerInstant Photo Roast Generators - Zinger Turns Your Photos into Funny Roasts for Online Sharing - TrendHunter recently highlighted Zinger, a quirky tool that turns your photos into witty roasts. Upload an image, and within seconds, the AI spits out a roast layered with humor. It’s designed for those who want to inject some light-hearted fun into their digital interactions. Given the weight of the world lately, this feels like a breath of fresh air.
• Artificial Intelligence has Given Us a New Folk Artist - The article "The Internet Was the Beginning of a New Folk Artist. Artificial Intelligence May Be Its End." by ARTnews explores how generative AI is reshaping the landscape for content creators, drawing parallels with how the Industrial Revolution impacted folk artists. It’s striking that 65% of young people today identify as “creators,” signaling a shift in how we define and consume art.
• Revisiting Early Photography: Ethics, Legal Constructs, and the Seligmans’ Legacy - Shalini Amerasinghe Ganendra’s article, Revisiting Early Photography: Ethics, Legal Constructs, and the Seligmans’ Legacy, takes us through the ethical dilemmas of early photography in anthropology, particularly regarding indigenous peoples. She explores how these images, intended for research, often perpetuated power imbalances and cultural misunderstandings.