Generative Art: Four Inspiring examples addressing the intersection of Data, Art and Technology

There are several definitions of generative art, but most of them revolve around artists deploying a wide range of artistic activities, including interactive art, algorithmic art, software art, artificial life art, and evolutionary art. Generative art combines algorithms, programming, and data to create artworks and fully or partially utilizes autonomous systems.

The increasing popularity of generative art has raised important questions about ownership, authorship, and what constitutes originality and innovation in this context (what is new as opposed to imitation). There is a potential issue with copyrightability in generative art, as well as the distribution and compensation for artworks.  

In this blogpost, we will look at four generative artworks, that exemplify ways authors have utilized this medium to address societal problems, like the issue of ‘infoxication’ [sic] (information intoxication) and the relationship between the digital space and the environment. Overall, these works allow us to reflect on society’s relationship with technology in this digital age.  

The Next Rembrandt by ING  

"The Next Rembrandt" project is an example of how generative art can pay homage to traditional art forms. By focusing on the iconic Dutch painter, Rembrandt van Rijn, a team of data scientists, engineers, and art historians collaborated to create a new ‘Rembrandt-style’ painting.   

Using machine learning algorithms and deep learning techniques to analyse and study Rembrandt's works extensively, they developed an algorithm that generated a brand-new portrait, mimicking his style, brushstrokes, and subject matter. The result is a remarkably convincing piece that captures the essence and style of Rembrandt's paintings. This innovative project demonstrates how generative art can blend historical techniques with cutting-edge technology, blurring the lines between the past and the present.   

The Next Rembrandt not only demonstrates the potential for artificial intelligence to emulate human creativity, but also raises intriguing questions about the relationship between technology and artistic authorship. With technology like this, what will become of traditional art forms in the nearest future? Does generative art capture the essence of humanity which artists aim to illuminate? Are there grey areas between inspiration and imitation? and who determines when the lines between inspiration and imitation have been crossed?  

The Sound of Data by The University of Luxembourg and Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology 

"The Sound of Data" (SOD), an immersive art project that explores the relationship between sound and visuals by interpreting data into music.   

Created by The University of Luxembourg and Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, The Sound of Data (SOD) is an intriguing project that fuses music and data visualization.   

SOD translates data streams from traffic data, historical data, data from crowdsourcing art and 3D body scan data into stunning visual and auditory compositions, thereby transforming abstract data points into dynamic visuals and harmonious soundscapes. This it provides a multi-sensory experience that enables viewers to perceive information in a new light.   

By doing this, SOD creates unique and engaging visual experiences that allow viewers to interact with information in a new and immersive way.   

This creative work provides evidence of the evolution of generative art, reflecting on its roots in its simplest forms (1s and 0s) being transfigured into musical elements. This allows us to contemplate about the future of generative art and question its role in the art world in years to come.   

Carbolytics by Joana Moll 

The importance of data in our society cannot be overstated. The (mis)use of data has been an issue for much controversy in the public sphere. Drawing a connection between the digital space and the environment, Joana Moll's art and research project “carbolytics” explores the impact of controversial data collection practices - online tracking- on the environment.   

 “By analyzing the carbon emissions associated with a vast number of cookies from the top one million websites, the study reveals that each visit to these websites generates over 21 million cookies, attributed to more than 1200 companies. This amounts to approximately 197 trillion cookies per month and results in 11,442 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions monthly.”  

This interactive web-based installation, visualizes the real-time global cookie traffic, illustrating how cookies exploit user devices to extract personal data and contribute to a complex network of entities. Through incorporating climate and collective rights perspectives, Carbolytics aims to expand the traditional individual rights-based critique of the AdTech industry, providing compelling evidence to support communities advocating for accountability in technology and climate change.   

The installation visualizes carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in real-time, highlighting the impact of human activities on climate change. Thus, Carbolytics aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage viewers to reflect on the impact of human activities on the planet. 

Data Heartbreak by Domestic Data Streamers 

Commenting on the effect of information and the human attention span, Domestic Data Streamers created “Data Heartbreak,” an experience that reflects on the importance of data in an era of infoxication. An immersive piece where the digital content generated is turned into the light of disinformation.  

As part of the experience, visitors were asked to answer three questions through WhatsApp, sending a voice message that would become integrated as part of the soundscape of the artwork. The audio messages allowed the public to have a more personal connection with the technology and information overload, contrasting with the objectiveness of the data-based visuals.  

When thinking about the future it is as important to dream and push for affirmative approaches, as it is to be critical of the hard realities that can affect our future in a negative sense. The future we want to live in relies entirely on the steps that we take today to shape it. Data Heartbreak, in that sense, is much more than an immersive experience, it is the start of an important dialogue that needs to happen in the search of a better, more human tomorrow.  

In envisioning the future, it is essential to balance hopefulness and creative endeavours with a critical assessment of the harsh realities that may undermine our desired future. The tomorrow we aspire to depends entirely on the actions we take today. Hence, Data Heartbreak goes beyond being a mere immersive experience; it serves as a catalyst for vital conversations that must occur in our pursuit of a more improved and humane tomorrow.  While the examples discussed above highlight the incredible range and potential of generative art, also the ways generative art could be used to address societal questions, it is also challenging our norms and perceptions art, authorship, originality, and the influence of data on artistic expressions.