The Serpentine Galleries in London is dedicating 2024 to exploring artificial intelligence (AI) through a series of exhibitions, research initiatives, and collaborative projects. As reported by Observer, this "Year of AI" marks the 10th anniversary of Serpentine Arts Technologies and aims to showcase how emerging AI technologies can be harnessed for public good in the cultural sector.
Serpentine Arts Technologies has been exploring artificial intelligence in the arts for over a decade, developing a robust program that combines artistic commissions, research initiatives, and public engagement. Since its establishment in 2014, the department has collaborated with numerous artists to create groundbreaking AI projects that have often anticipated future technological developments in the field1.
Some notable AI collaborations by Serpentine Arts Technologies include projects with artists such as Cécile B. Evans, James Bridle, Jenna Sutela, Ian Cheng, Pierre Huyghe, and Hito Steyerl1. These projects have explored various aspects of AI, from chatbots to generative art, pushing the boundaries of how artificial intelligence can be integrated into artistic practice.
In 2019, Serpentine took its commitment to AI research a step further by establishing the Creative AI Lab in collaboration with the Department of Digital Humanities at King's College London2. This initiative has provided a dedicated space for research into AI systems from artistic and cultural perspectives, laying a solid foundation for thought leadership on the topic as AI gains increasing mainstream attention1.
The Arts Technologies program for 2024 is particularly focused on developing AI systems in conversation with artists and the public, leveraging creative research and development (R&D) and art production1. This approach aims to explore the potential of AI as a tool for artistic expression and public engagement, while also addressing the broader implications of AI technology in society.
One of the key strategies employed by Serpentine Arts Technologies is the use of AI to test new models and platforms that allow audiences to interact with cultural institutions in novel ways2. This experimentation extends to exploring new models of distribution and ownership, potentially shifting the cultural field away from traditional funding structures2.
The department's work also emphasizes the importance of collaboration across cultural institutions and technological and civic ecosystems2. By fostering partnerships between diverse sectors, Serpentine Arts Technologies aims to create a more comprehensive and impactful approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and other advanced technologies2.
Through its various initiatives, Serpentine Arts Technologies continues to demonstrate how the public arts sector can serve as a valuable space for technological experimentation and research, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence213.
Refik Anadol's solo exhibition "Echoes of the Earth: Living Archives" at Serpentine North Gallery showcased the artist's innovative use of AI in environmental art. Held from February 16 to April 7, 2024, the exhibition transformed the gallery into a multisensory experience with generative images inspired by data from global rainforests and coral reefs.
Anadol's work utilized the Large Nature Model, an open-source AI tool trained on billions of nature images, to create abstract visualizations highlighting the beauty and complexity of ecosystems. The artist aimed to use AI to raise awareness about environmental issues and potentially aid in ecosystem restoration, viewing technology as a tool for both artistic expression and ecological preservation.
Scheduled for October 2024 at Serpentine North, Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst's exhibition will explore the creation of an artist-led AI system and introduce data collection as an art form1. The Berlin-based duo, recognized among TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in AI, will present their first U.K. exhibition as an immersive sonic experience of technological systems as art1. This project is part of a year-long research collaboration with the Arts Technologies team, delving into the complexities of being an artist in the AI age2.
The recently released "Future Art Ecosystems: Art x Public AI" report provides strategic insights for the cultural sector to navigate the impact of AI on society. It emphasizes the need for deeper collaboration across institutions and sectors, urging cultural organizations to enhance their technical literacy through inter-organizational training programs1. The report suggests using AI to test new models of audience interaction and to prototype alternative distribution and ownership structures, aiming to shift away from traditional funding models1. This publication is part of Serpentine's ongoing efforts to explore the implications of technology for art institutions, following previous editions on topics like advanced technologies, the metaverse, and decentralized technology1.
The Creative AI Lab, a collaborative research program between Serpentine Galleries and King's College London's Department of Digital Humanities, explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and artistic practices. Established in 2019, the lab investigates how AI and machine learning tools can support and transform artistic and curatorial practices, while also examining the critical and aesthetic aspects of AI in art12. The lab's activities include maintaining a database of AI tools and resources for artists, organizing research workshops, and running online tutorials called R&D Labyrinths1. Through these initiatives, the Creative AI Lab aims to develop institutional capacities and knowledge for engaging with AI as a medium in the cultural sector, bridging the gap between technology and artistic expression2.