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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-07-22 09:01:20
*Editor’s note: K-VIBE invites experts from various K-culture sectors to share their extraordinary discovery about the Korean culture.
AI Art: The Boundary Between Tradition and Innovation
Text and images contributed by Lee Eun-jun (special professor at aSSIST University)
What is the definition of art?
In the era of artificial intelligence, to what extent can we call something art?
The definition of art is constantly evolving, with technological advancements continually expanding its boundaries. Among these advancements, AI art has become one of the hottest topics today.
The question of how to distinguish art created with AI or entirely by AI from traditional art is quite complex. It goes beyond a mere technical issue and compels us to reconsider the essence and value of art.
To address this, we need to closely examine the essence of art, its historical background, concrete examples, and its social context.
◇ The Coexistence of Art and Technology: From Photography to AI
Historically, art has developed in close conjunction with technological advancements.
For example, the invention of the printing press enabled the reproduction of art, facilitating its popularization. The invention of photography in the mid-19th century revolutionized artistic expression. Initially, photography was perceived merely as a tool for recording reality.
However, photographers like Alfred Stieglitz developed photography into a new medium for artistic expression. He pioneered new ways to convey emotions and atmospheres through photography, significantly expanding the scope of photographic art.
Stieglitz advanced photography beyond a simple means of objective recording, making it a medium that could reflect the photographer's subjective perspective and emotions. He used photography to express his inner world and emotions, proving that it could be an artistic and personal tool of expression.
Techniques such as soft focus, exaggerated tones, and the use of filters were employed to make photographs resemble paintings. These techniques played a crucial role in imparting an emotional and romantic atmosphere to the photographs.
When photographic technology first emerged, many argued that the simple act of pressing a shutter could not be considered art. However, today we recognize photography as an independent form of art, where the fusion of artistry and technology is evident.
Similarly, computer graphics and digital art initially faced much skepticism but have now become integral parts of contemporary art.
The development of photographic art exemplifies the interaction between art and technology. When cameras first appeared, many people believed they would herald the end of painting.
◇ The Innovation Demonstrated by Andy Warhol
Instead of replacing painting, cameras opened up new artistic possibilities.
Just as Andy Warhol used the silkscreen technique (a method involving creating a stencil of the desired shape, placing it over silk, and allowing ink to seep through the mesh to print designs, often used for commercial posters) to pioneer new territory in modern art, cameras provided artists with groundbreaking tools and means of expression.
Warhol's work is seen as part of the process of integrating technology into art, creating unique aesthetic experiences distinct from traditional painting.
In 1962, Warhol introduced photographic silkscreen printing into his work. This technique allowed him to easily replicate images from popular culture, revolutionizing his method of working.
After selecting an image, Warhol would note the desired screen size and color count and send it to a commercial silkscreen maker. Once the screen was prepared, it was returned to Warhol's studio in New York, known as 'The Factory.' The silkscreen printing process generated precise and clear images, enabling Warhol and his assistants to produce many prints relatively easily and in large quantities.
Although Warhol did not invent the photographic silkscreen process, he developed his unique method of combining hand-painted backgrounds with silkscreened images to create original artworks.
This innovative approach enriched his artistic legacy and had a significant impact on modern art history.
Viewing the history of art, the current emergence of AI art is unlikely to signal the end of traditional art, as many fear. As demonstrated by Stieglitz and Warhol, we will witness another evolution of art through AI technology.
In other words, AI presents traditional artists with innovative opportunities for new artistic expressions.
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