When artificial intelligence usurps art history


By AGENCY

When searching for ‘cubism’ on Google, one of the first images displayed comes from the CubismArtwork.com website. Photo: AFP

Cubism was one of the great art movements of the first quarter of the 20th century, helmed by iconic artists such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and Juan Gris. It is now being revisited by artificial intelligence. An exploration which, according to art and image theorists, nevertheless raises ethical questions.

It seems like hardly a week goes by without some form of artificial intelligence making the news. The latest innovation comes in the form of an AI tool capable of generating striking images inspired by the codes of cubism.

At first glance, nothing revolutionary. Tools such as Dall-E or Midjourney have already mastered the art of creating visuals in a variety of styles from simple text queries.

But the issue lies in the fact that cubist works from the CubismArtwork.com site are being propelled to the top of search engine results when people look for information on this artistic movement online, reports Artnet News.

When searching for “cubism” on Google, one of the first images displayed comes from the CubismArtwork.com website. It’s a portrait in shades of blue, red and orange of Pablo Picasso, the Spanish artist and one of the founders of cubism. This picture stands alongside automated creations in the cubist style, as well as authentic works by cubist artists, blurring the boundaries between originals and modern interpretations.

A replica of 'Guernica' by Picasso is seen at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Photo: AFPA replica of 'Guernica' by Picasso is seen at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Photo: AFP

CubismArtwork.com claims not to be seeking to revolutionise our relationship with images with its cubist-inspired automated creations.

Rather, the site positions itself above all as an educational platform that honors the pioneers of cubism. It features educational articles tracing the history of this major artistic movement, as well as digital works available for free download.

One of the platform’s representatives, going by the name of Edwin, told Artnet News that “the website was designed with two main purposes: to offer free downloadable images, allowing users to explore and use these creations on various print-on-demand platforms, and to provide an e-commerce section for the sale of exclusive works.”

However, due to a lack of investors, the project is currently on hold. This hasn’t stopped CubismArtwork.com from climbing to the top of Google’s search results, eclipsing more credible academic or museum-released references to Cubism.

Although the site unambiguously states that its creations are the product of artificial intelligence, one fear persists: that these computer-generated images could infiltrate the art world, blurring the boundary with authentic works.

Ultimately, this could flood the cultural scene with a slew of misleading data, posing a real headache for art theorists.

So what can be done? Perhaps it’s time to rediscover how to observe and evaluate, in the manner of the pioneers of Cubism, with heightened attention, a sharpened critical mind and a deep appreciation for the legacy of the masters who truly shaped the history of art. – AFP

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