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Arts & Communication Artificial intelligence and art

achieved through the sequence of actualities, resulting in Théâtre D’opéra Spatial) mimics the Modern Style (art
a mathematically linear “opened infinity” that inhibits the nouveau) and “impasto” painting effects. The second
artwork’s dynamic completeness. Narrativeness is more example, Faceless Portraits Transcending Time by Ahmed
about the “staticity” of the artwork’s narrative components Elgammal through AICAN, compiles the styles of Frank
multiplied than about dynamics. To explore these concepts Auerbach and Francis Bacon. However, Auerbach’s
further, one AI-generated item: Théâtre D’opéra Spatial by paintings are characterized by a synesthetic appearance
Jason M. Allen via Midjourney (Figure 2) will be examined. of the physical sensation of touching someone’s face in
Jason Allen earned the blue ribbon for his piece Théâtre the dark. Is it possible for AI to simulate this sensation
D’opéra Spatial in the fair’s competition for digital artists. (which is an integration of both the physical and mental
This made it one of the first pieces created using AI to aspects of the human experience) without tangible and
receive such recognition, provoking vehement criticism material properties? Even if it were possible, would it be
from other artists who accused him of infringement. radically encountering otherness, as AI only simulates
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Allen claimed that he had been transparent about the it without a real relationship to otherness? As such, it
origins of his work, submitting under the name “Jason becomes apparent that AI gathers and processes only an
M. Allen via Midjourney”. Many artists became anxious, artwork’s narrative – not its relationship with otherness –
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questioning why anyone should pay for art if it can be compiling, modifying, quoting, and reassembling it. In the
generated by anyone using AI tools. The use of AI tools in context of art, kitsch often manifests as falsehood through
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art has provoked intense dialogs about ethics and has been manipulation of the artwork’s structure and artistic
criticized by some as a form of high-tech plagiarism, as it medium. Gustav Pazaurek was one of the earliest writers
relies on ingesting and reinterpreting existing artworks. 57 to discuss how kitsch arises from the misuse of artistic
materials. Kitsch commonly mimics the tangible aspects
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The Faceless Portraits Transcending Time exhibition,
hosted at the HG Contemporary Gallery in Chelsea, the of art through narrative elements. Hermann Broch asserts
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center of New York’s contemporary art scene, featured that kitsch can mimic any artistic system. A prior artistic
entirely computer-generated prints. The catalog describes critic would likely categorize this AI-created work as kitsch
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the exhibition as a collaboration between its creator, due to its deceptive relationship between corporality and
Ahmed Elgammal, and an AI named AICAN. According reference (form matter and content). This categorization
to HG Contemporary, it is the first solo gallery exhibition does not include artworks that intentionally employ kitsch,
dedicated to an “AI artist”. 58 such as those created by Jeff Koons. The artistic material
employed by Jeff Koons is not mishandled; rather, it is well
What is problematic about these AI-generated pieces suited to the reference.
in terms of art? AI tools do not begin with otherness but
with specified variables that imitate particular painting Like prosecutor Butterick, it can be concluded that
languages and styles. By imitating the painting’s surface, AI-generated items are not new works of art. Placing
both examples imitate the specifics of the painting AI-generated items next to Warhol’s artwork demonstrates
medium, which is an imitation of language without the distinction between artwork and non-artwork.
speech. The first example (Jason M. Allen via Midjourney, Warhol authentically handled artistic matter – the
oscillation between the work’s corporeality and reference
– by contrasting his creations with those generated by AI,
revealing that the latter lack this oscillation and do not,
therefore, produce an aura. Narrativeness has facilitated
this kind of AI action using language as a code. Works
generated in this manner are artistically expressive; they
do not provide artistic speech but offer a wide range of
possible narrative interpretations. Going back to the earlier
disagreement with Derrida, if art is merely a matter of
inscription and rewriting, then AI-generated works are
considered new writings (as new artworks), as it does not
matter whether the artist or the computer “writes.” However,
if there is merit to distinguishing artworks from non-artistic
works, then it is not just about writing but about truth and
Figure 2. Jason M. Allen via Midjourney, Théâtre D’opéra Spatial, 2022. co-creation. Butterick’s lawsuit against AI is based on the
Image used with permission from Wikimedia Commons. claim that interpolating someone else’s artwork does not

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 8 doi: 10.36922/ac.3311