{"id":3700,"date":"2023-09-08T12:51:19","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T11:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toshareproject.it\/artmakerblog\/?p=3700"},"modified":"2023-09-08T12:51:19","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T11:51:19","slug":"interview-with-daniel-andjuar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toshareproject.it\/artmakerblog\/interview-with-daniel-andjuar\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview With Daniel Andjuar"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>*The time-honored nettime list is pondering Artificial Intelligence.  Who can&#8217;t like a big, intellectually extensive chunk of critical text?<\/p>\n<p>Interview With Daniel Andjuar<\/p>\n<p>This interview, in the form of a set of long responses to shorter question-like prompts, is<br \/>\ncarried out in parallel to Daniel And\u00fajar\u2019s (http:\/\/danielandujar.org\/) recent exhibition<br \/>\nat the gallery \u00e0ngels barcelona (http:\/\/angelsbarcelona.com\/). Amongst other things, the<br \/>\nshow deploys publicly available generative AI systems to probe historical absences and<br \/>\nthe interlacing conditions of possibility set up by such systems and as they might be<br \/>\nutilised to probe visual cultural archives. There is a sequence of several sets of images,<br \/>\neach taking a different line in to probe the latent spaces composed by these models.<br \/>\nAnswers to the questions also employ a modified version of this approach.<\/p>\n<p>Matthew Fuller: In the series &#8216;Cultura de la cancelaci\u00f3n&#8217; \/&#8217;Cancel culture&#8217;<br \/>\nyou show a grid of 56 images, a convincing archive of statistically<br \/>\nfabricated images that variously look like engravings, photographs and<br \/>\npaintings of political monuments and the people around them, sometimes<br \/>\nin moments of contemplation or in events of insurgency. How would you<br \/>\ncharacterise the character and style of the images and what is<br \/>\nrepresented?<\/p>\n<p>Daniel Andujar: The initial visual encounter with the series reveals a sequential<br \/>\narrangement of images that effectively conveys a sense of historical chronology or<br \/>\ntemporal progression. These images depict instances of popular uprisings, revolts, and<br \/>\nriots, where historical monuments are either overthrown or subject to attack.<br \/>\nFurthermore, the photographs offer glimpses into the aftermath of these events,<br \/>\nshowcasing how the public interacts with the remnants and ruins left in the wake of<br \/>\nthese revolts. These remnants, now transformed into elements of urban archaeology,<br \/>\nhave become incorporated into cultural imagery as newly recognized monuments or<br \/>\nworks of art showcased within galleries and museums.<\/p>\n<p>The production of the aforementioned images was achieved through the utilization of<br \/>\ngenerative artificial intelligence programs and services. These tools operate by<br \/>\ngenerating visual content based on natural language descriptions, commonly referred to<br \/>\nas &#8220;prompts.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>MF: &#8230;.and what is its relation to what can be called &#8216;cancel culture&#8217;?<\/p>\n<p>DA: The incorporation of the phrase cancel culture arises from the observation that<br \/>\nthese tools, typically owned and regulated by corporate entities, are subject to rigorous<br \/>\ncontent moderation practices. These mechanisms enforce a high degree of adherence to<br \/>\npolitically correct standards, which can often result in notable instances of irritation.<br \/>\nFurthermore, as is well-established by now, these AI tools frequently incorporate biases<br \/>\nrooted in gender, race, socio-economic status, cultural circumstances, phobias,<br \/>\naffiliations, myths, and societal prejudices. The presence of such biases underscores the<br \/>\nintricate interplay between these technologies and the broader social fabric, highlighting<br \/>\nthe influence of societal norms and ideologies.<\/p>\n<p>In the event that a user&#8217;s utilization of these tools is found to be incongruous with the<br \/>\nestablished policies, the company reserves the right to request appropriate adjustments.<br \/>\nPersistent or severe infractions may lead to subsequent measures, such as the suspension<br \/>\nor termination of the user&#8217;s account. While we possess the capability to emulate the<br \/>\ntechnique and style employed by renowned artists such as Goya, it is crucial to<br \/>\nrecognize that Goya himself would be unable to create his renowned &#8220;Disasters of War&#8221;<br \/>\nseries using contemporary AI tools. Goya would be violating many of the moderation<br \/>\ncategories, for example violence\/graphic: content that depicts death, violence, or<br \/>\nphysical injury in graphic detail. But moderation could interpret it as hate speech:<br \/>\nContent that expresses, incites, or promotes hate based on race, gender, ethnicity,<br \/>\nreligion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability status, or caste. Hateful content aimed<br \/>\nat non-protected groups is harassment. Or sexual: Content meant to arouse sexual<br \/>\nexcitement, such as the description of sexual activity, or that promotes sexual services<br \/>\n(excluding sex education and wellness). This is not to say that these filters should not be<br \/>\nthere, but that they now constitute part of the landscape we inhabit.<\/p>\n<p>MF: In the series &#8216;Old Fake News&#8217; you set up a dialogue that generates a<br \/>\nseries of short descriptions and images of imaginary 18th century revolts<br \/>\nstarted by women. The images are distinctive, but also highly formulaic in<br \/>\ncertain ways &#8211; what does it say about the parameters operating here?<\/p>\n<p>DA: The task of dismantling conventional narratives requires a collaborative and<br \/>\nenduring commitment from society as a whole, involving the continuous examination<br \/>\nand call for responsibility from both figures of authority and established power<br \/>\nstructures.<\/p>\n<p>MF: well yes, but a revolutionary practice would involve not only calling<br \/>\nfor such but finding other ways of making changes happen?<\/p>\n<p>DA: Indeed, the process of dismantling conventional narratives is not solely about<br \/>\ncalling out existing biases or omissions within our historical understanding. It also<br \/>\nnecessitates a proactive and revolutionary approach, seeking to shift not just<br \/>\nperspectives, but also the structures and systems that produce and perpetuate these<br \/>\nskewed narratives.<\/p>\n<p>This practice involves creating spaces for marginalized voices, promoting inclusive<br \/>\ndialogues, and recognizing alternative sources of knowledge. It calls for reform in<br \/>\neducation, media, and other institutions that have a role in shaping our collective<br \/>\nconsciousness. It demands a re-evaluation of how we preserve and transmit history,<br \/>\nencouraging the use of diverse perspectives and multiple narratives.<\/p>\n<p>In essence, it&#8217;s about instigating tangible change, challenging the very foundations of<br \/>\nestablished power structures, and reshaping our societal norms to foster a more holistic<br \/>\nand inclusive understanding of our shared history. Revolution is not just about<br \/>\nrecognition; it&#8217;s about taking bold steps to ensure a more equitable future.<\/p>\n<p>MF: Your response suggests that it&#8217;s difficult to get traction on revolution<br \/>\nusing large language models. But to get back to the &#8216;Old Fake News&#8217; series<\/p>\n<p>DA: It is essential to recognize that the authoritative historical narrative does not<br \/>\nrepresent a comprehensive and veracious account of past events, but rather a deliberate<br \/>\nconstruction aimed at preserving the existing social order and perpetuating the<br \/>\ndominance of the privileged classes. History, being a construct, relies on the<br \/>\ninterpretation and selective curation of specific facts and events while neglecting others,<br \/>\nthereby manipulating collective memory through biased choices and interpretations of<br \/>\nhistorical information.<\/p>\n<p>This series provides a comprehensive overview of the methodology employed in this<br \/>\nproject, incorporating a multifaceted approach. It commences with an extensive text-to-<br \/>\ntext dialogue employing an AI chatbot, primarily aimed at interrogating the constraints<br \/>\nimposed by traditional narratives. The exploration delves into the intricate nature of<br \/>\nHistory as a constructed entity, grounded in the interpretation and selective curation of<br \/>\nspecific factual information and events, often at the expense of others.<br \/>\nFurthermore, it delves into the mechanisms employed to manipulate collective<br \/>\nmemory, utilizing biased selection and interpretation of historical facts and events.<br \/>\nAdditionally, the investigation scrutinizes the processes through which the elevation of<br \/>\ncertain historical figures or events, alongside the marginalization or suppression of<br \/>\nothers, reinforces values and beliefs advantageous to specific groups in positions of<br \/>\nauthority and dominance.<br \/>\nThroughout the dialogue, a pivotal juncture emerges wherein responses begin to<br \/>\npursue \u201cpolitically correct\u201d avenues, proposing aspects of human history that remain<br \/>\nincompletely recounted or have been narrated from a biased perspective.<\/p>\n<p>MF: This term is primarily used by the right to disparage the left?<\/p>\n<p>DA: Undeniably, the term &#8220;politically correct&#8221; has evolved into a loaded expression,<br \/>\nwielded with multifarious intents depending on the context. Originally conceived to<br \/>\nunderscore the need for respectful, inclusive discourse, it has been co-opted into political<br \/>\njargon, often used by right-leaning critics as a tool to caricature and chastise left-leaning<br \/>\nsensibilities. When viewed from a &#8216;neutral&#8217; perspective, &#8220;political correctness&#8221; retains its<br \/>\nfundamental function as a guide for behavior and language that minimizes offense.<br \/>\nHowever, overemphasis on its strict adherence can inadvertently edge out the<br \/>\npreservation of free speech, and potentially impede candid discussions on consequential<br \/>\nsubjects. In extremis, &#8220;political correctness&#8221; risks transmogrifying into a neoliberal<br \/>\nparody, a hyperbolic version of its original intent, an observation that appears to<br \/>\nunderpin its usage in certain circles, including my somewhat cynical and sarcastic<br \/>\ninvocation here to critique this excessive zeal when applying very strict rules and<br \/>\nregulations. Balance remains pivotal. The task, then, is to utilize &#8220;political correctness&#8221;<br \/>\nas a tool for fostering understanding and inclusivity, while ensuring it does not stifle the<br \/>\ndynamism of discourse or compromise other foundational values.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, the AI chatbot itself provides an example: &#8220;the history of women has been<br \/>\nmisrepresented or ignored.&#8221; It further highlights the importance of working to correct<br \/>\nthese biases and omissions in order to provide a more comprehensive and accurate<br \/>\nunderstanding of human history. And when I ask it to give me some examples of how<br \/>\nwomen&#8217;s history has been poorly represented or ignored, it offers:<\/p>\n<p>1. Invisible Achievements and Contributions: Many women who made<br \/>\nsignificant contributions in fields such as science, technology, politics, the arts,<br \/>\nand other areas have been overlooked in historical accounts. For example,<br \/>\nRosalind Franklin was instrumental in the discovery of DNA structure, but her<br \/>\nmale colleagues James Watson and Francis Crick received most of the credit.<br \/>\n2. Participation in Social and Political Movements: Often, women have<br \/>\nbeen portrayed as passive followers rather than as active leaders or participants<br \/>\nin significant social and political movements. For example, suffragettes, who<br \/>\nfought for women&#8217;s voting rights in the 19th and early 20th centuries, are often<br \/>\nminimized in the history of the civil rights movement.<br \/>\n3. Male-Centred Accounts: Many historical narratives focus on the experiences<br \/>\nand achievements of men, relegating women to secondary roles. This<br \/>\nandrocentric bias in history can give a distorted picture of past events and eras.<br \/>\n4. History of Everyday Life and Women&#8217;s Experiences: History, as a<br \/>\ndiscipline, has tended to focus on &#8220;big&#8221; events like wars, politics, and economic<br \/>\ndevelopment, while the everyday life and experiences of women are often<br \/>\noverlooked. This &#8220;history from below&#8221; is essential for fully understanding any<br \/>\nhistorical period.<br \/>\n5. Diversity of Women&#8217;s Experiences: Many times, women&#8217;s history is told<br \/>\nfrom a Eurocentric and upper-class perspective, ignoring the diversity of<br \/>\nwomen&#8217;s experiences. Women of colour, lower-class women, LGBTQ+ women,<br \/>\nand other marginalized women are often rendered invisible in historical<br \/>\naccounts.<\/p>\n<p>And we get to work. The &#8220;repair&#8221; of the historical narrative that omits the history of<br \/>\nwomen is a challenge that requires efforts in various areas. The bot notes some strategies<br \/>\nto address this problem: Re-evaluation of existing sources; Researching unconventional<br \/>\nsources; Incorporation of interdisciplinary perspectives; Collaboration with<br \/>\ncommunities; Education and outreach\u2026<\/p>\n<p>But\u2026 In scenarios where there is an absence of data, detailed recounts of specific<br \/>\nhistorical incidents, pictorial evidence, documentation, or even the overarching<br \/>\nhistorical narrative itself, how can we remediate this historiographical void that tends to<br \/>\nmarginalize or completely neglect women&#8217;s histories? Particularly focusing on the 18th<br \/>\ncentury, suppose we find sparse chronicles, narratives, or historical events that<br \/>\nprominently feature women. The narrative continues, replete with considerable lacunae<br \/>\nand biases inclined towards the depiction of men. Does this lack of evidence infer that<br \/>\nwomen&#8217;s roles were irrelevant during this time? Are we obliged to supplement these<br \/>\nhistoriographical vacuums with hypothetical fiction, construct alternative narratives, or<br \/>\nengage in myth-making?<\/p>\n<p>And after hours of going around politically correct circuits, bingo! Looks like we&#8217;re<br \/>\nentering interesting territory:<\/p>\n<p>-Creation of Alternative Narratives: While it&#8217;s true that we should not fill the gaps in<br \/>\nhistory with fiction, the creation of alternative narratives based on historical evidence<br \/>\ncan help us imagine the potential experiences of women. This can be especially useful<br \/>\nwhen it comes to aspects of women&#8217;s lives that have been ignored or underestimated in<br \/>\ntraditional history.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t like History, make it up!<\/p>\n<p>For \u201cOld Fake News\u201d, series 2023:<\/p>\n<p>Please, uncovering 20 historically significant events led by women during the 18th<br \/>\ncentury presents a formidable challenge, even for advanced technologies such as<br \/>\nartificial intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>-As historical records from that period may not be as complete or as detailed as we<br \/>\nwould like. However, I can provide you with a list of some notable women who were<br \/>\ninvolved in resistance movements, revolts, or uprisings during the 18th century:<\/p>\n<p>1. The Rose Rebellion (1702) \u2013 Led by Lady Rosalind, a group of women across<br \/>\nEngland banded together to demand equal rights to education and work<br \/>\nopportunities, wearing rose pins to signify their allegiance.<\/p>\n<p>2. The Diamond Defiance (1796) \u2013 A group of South African women, led by Naledi<br \/>\nKhumalo, united to resist the harsh treatment of female laborers in the diamond<br \/>\nmines.<\/p>\n<p>3. The Barcelona Bread Revolt (1736) &#8211; Women, led by Ana Valentina, organized a<br \/>\nmassive protest against the rising cost of bread and the impact it had on their<br \/>\nfamilies, resulting in government intervention to stabilize prices.<\/p>\n<p>4. The C\u00e1diz Chorus Girl Crusade (1797) &#8211; Female performers in C\u00e1diz, under the<br \/>\ndirection of Luc\u00eda Serrano, united against discrimination and mistreatment in<br \/>\nthe entertainment industry, advocating for equal pay and fair treatment.<\/p>\n<p>[\u2026]<\/p>\n<p>Write an article from these histories in the style of 18th-century British periodicals. like<br \/>\npublished on the front page of The Gentleman&#8217;s Magazine, May 1759, maximum of<br \/>\n1000 characters<\/p>\n<p>After the completion of the 20 narratives, it was the moment to unveil the image that<br \/>\nwould authenticate the event. Prompt: The Diamond Defiance (1796) \u2013 A group of South<br \/>\nAfrican women, led by Naledi Khumalo, united to resist the harsh treatment of female laborers in the<br \/>\ndiamond mines. Detailed black and white etching by Goya.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most intriguing aspects of my exploration was the revelation of the intricate<br \/>\nprocess by which a fact attains the level of significance required for its inclusion in a<br \/>\nhistorical narrative. It became evident that the attribution of relevance often stems from<br \/>\nnoteworthy occurrences such as uprisings, revolutions, or collective movements,<br \/>\nconsistently intertwined with identifiable leaders who bear a specific name and surname.<\/p>\n<p>MF: To focus in a little, how specifically did your prompt with the format of the name,<br \/>\ndate, instigator and aims of the revolt?<\/p>\n<p>Everything is determined by the process itself.<br \/>\nThe starting point in my process involves using verbatim text-to-text generation from<br \/>\nthe interaction above, as suggested by conversational generative AI chatbots like Chat<br \/>\nGPT, Bard, and others. To put it in context, let&#8217;s consider the following prompt: &#8220;The<br \/>\nDiamond Defiance (1796) \u2013 A group of South African women, led by Naledi Khumalo,<br \/>\nunited to resist the harsh treatment of female laborers in the diamond mines.&#8221;<br \/>\nThis text-based prompt is then transformed through a process that input the narrative<br \/>\ninto a cutting-edge graphics program, which is designed to convert natural language<br \/>\ndescriptions into detailed images, a procedure often referred to as text-to-image<br \/>\ntranslation. This application produces a visual representation based on the descriptive<br \/>\ncontent of the text, effectively turning the words into a graphic depiction. This is the<br \/>\npoint where I delve into the artistic methodologies and mediums employed by 18th-<br \/>\ncentury artists, in this concrete case. These historical techniques and materials are<br \/>\nessential for me to capture the authentic technical artistry and aesthetic nuances of the<br \/>\nperiod in my illustration. Example: detailed black and white etching by Pierre-Joseph Redout\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p>Online at:<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/danielandujar.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/TheDiamond.png<\/p>\n<p>MF: The works probe the characteristics of the way these models interact<br \/>\nwith their dataset, the gaps, ellipses, over-crowdings and weightings, in<br \/>\nrelation to the peculiar form of the generative algorithm. Could you say a<br \/>\nlittle about the results you get, and the work back and forwards with the<br \/>\ndataset and the model derived from it, and what it reveals about the<br \/>\nculture of images engineered by these systems?<\/p>\n<p>DA: The modern world functions as an expansive laboratory that produces extensive<br \/>\ndatasets encompassing various fundamental aspects of our civilization, such as ideas,<br \/>\nideologies, customs, movements, affinities, and phobias. Institutions of power adeptly<br \/>\nexploit collective memory as a means to perpetuate their control over society, utilizing<br \/>\nthe artful manipulation of this shared memory and the strategic implementation of<br \/>\nemerging technologies encompassing metadata, microdata, algorithms, and artificial<br \/>\nintelligence. The profound transformative capacity of emerging technologies<br \/>\naccentuates the significance of adopting a critical framework and embracing a<br \/>\nmultiplicity of perspectives when scrutinizing the construction of visual representation,<br \/>\nhistorical narratives, and power dynamics within the fabric of society.<\/p>\n<p>The artistic endeavour can be characterized less as a dialogue and more as a striving<br \/>\nagainst the inherent constraints imposed by the machinery and its mechanisms of<br \/>\nmediation and control. This pursuit necessitates a concerted effort to challenge the<br \/>\nconfines of the technology&#8217;s underlying architecture and transcend the limitations<br \/>\nimposed by its pre-existing models. While the technology exhibits considerable<br \/>\npotential, it remains subject to notable limitations that warrant acknowledgment. The<br \/>\nartworks delve into the intricacies of the interaction between the models and their<br \/>\ndatasets, shedding light on the gaps, omissions, overlaps, and biases that arise within the<br \/>\nunique framework of the generative algorithm. This process entails a continuous back-<br \/>\nand-forth engagement with the dataset, iteratively refining and modifying the inputs to<br \/>\nunveil novel results.<\/p>\n<p>This negotiation unfolds through an interactive and iterative process. As the AI system<br \/>\ngenerates images in response to the prompts, we evaluate and analyse the results,<br \/>\niteratively refining and modifying the prompts accordingly. In the corporate telling, the<br \/>\nset of images that emerges from this sequence represents a dynamic conversation<br \/>\nbetween the artist and the AI system, with each image building upon the previous ones,<br \/>\nincorporating feedback and insights gained throughout the process. The interaction is<br \/>\nsmooth and &#8216;complementary&#8217;. I believe it does\u2014and should\u2014involve more friction.<\/p>\n<p>The artworks explore the intricacies of the interaction between the models and their<br \/>\ndatasets, drawing attention to the gaps, omissions, overlaps, and biases that arise within<br \/>\nthe unique framework of the generative algorithm. This process involves a continuous<br \/>\nback-and-forth engagement with the dataset, iterating and refining the inputs to uncover<br \/>\nnovel results.<\/p>\n<p>The outcomes obtained through this iterative process provide insights into the culture of<br \/>\nimages fostered by these systems, revealing the imprint of the dataset&#8217;s composition and<br \/>\nexposing the underlying assumptions, perspectives, and patterns embedded within it.<br \/>\nThe artworks delve into the ways in which generative algorithms, driven by the dataset,<br \/>\nshape and influence the production and dissemination of visual imagery.<\/p>\n<p>Within the process of working with the dataset, various revealing aspects emerge<br \/>\nregarding the culture of images generated by these systems. One of the most intriguing<br \/>\naspects pertains to the interaction between the systems and the dataset. The systems<br \/>\npossess the ability to identify patterns in the data and utilize them to generate new<br \/>\nimages. However, they are also susceptible to errors and biases. This susceptibility arises<br \/>\ndue to the inherent incompleteness or bias within the dataset itself. Additionally, legal<br \/>\nconcerns, sociocultural factors, and political limitations must be taken into account.<\/p>\n<p>This is very common, for example when we work with human faces, it is usual to use a<br \/>\npre-released model to generate facial images. This model was trained on a dataset<br \/>\ncomprised of real faces, yet the dataset exhibited a bias toward white faces. As a<br \/>\nconsequence, the model displayed a greater inclination to generate white faces as<br \/>\nopposed to faces representing other modes of racialisation. This exemplifies how these<br \/>\nmodels can exhibit biases, and there are numerous other ways in which biases can<br \/>\nmanifest depending on the dataset employed for training. Another interesting aspect<br \/>\ninvolves the iterative back-and-forth relationship between the models and the dataset.<br \/>\nThe models continually learn from the dataset, which is continually updated with new<br \/>\nimages. This process creates a feedback loop that enhances the model&#8217;s capacity to<br \/>\ngenerate images. Nevertheless, this feedback loop can also introduce what the system<br \/>\nwould complacently describe as &#8216;challenges&#8217;, such as when a model is trained on a<br \/>\ndataset predominantly composed of a specific style of images, resulting in a lack of<br \/>\ndiversity in the generated images.<\/p>\n<p>MF: Part of the method of the projects here is done by showing a cluster or<br \/>\nsequence of images. You show a set of images developed by an on-going<br \/>\nnegotiation of prompts and their modifications. This is, for instance, a<br \/>\ndifferent approach to artists who present a single image as the result of<br \/>\nwork using generative algorithms. You present a field or series of results<br \/>\nsuggesting a movement between the specific and the wider patternings and<br \/>\nprocesses that produce it. What is the thinking behind the prompts that<br \/>\nyou used, and how does a set of images developed through a sequence of<br \/>\ncritical prompts work, as you put it, as a dialogue?<\/p>\n<p>DA: Yes, part of the methodology in my projects involves showcasing a cluster or<br \/>\nsequence of images. I frequently employ representational systems characterized by the<br \/>\namalgamation of multiple images, resembling cartographic maps, atlases, or expanded<br \/>\narchival structures. The individual images invariably assume their significance within a<br \/>\ncontextual framework and are comprehended through their interrelations with other<br \/>\nimages.<br \/>\nI often posit that the digitalization process has engendered a distinct paradigm,<br \/>\nprofoundly influencing our perception and assimilation of visual imagery. This<br \/>\ntransformative shift can be likened to bearing the weight of the world upon our<br \/>\nshoulders. In an astonishingly brief timeframe, our engagement with knowledge and<br \/>\nculture has undergone a profound metamorphosis. Formerly limited to physical visits to<br \/>\nmuseums, libraries, archives, and universities, we now find ourselves inhabiting a realm<br \/>\nwherein information permeates every aspect of our existence, resulting in a visual<br \/>\nlandscape characterized by pervasive contamination and chaos. This archival chaos<br \/>\nfunctions as an all-encompassing repository, assimilating and disseminating images and<br \/>\ndocuments spanning diverse domains of knowledge. The pioneering investigations of<br \/>\nAby Warburg have shed light upon this innate archival drive, wherein a collection of<br \/>\nimages can emanate from a densely woven fabric of thought, a non-systematic system.<\/p>\n<p>MF: As you hinted earlier, there&#8217;s also an interesting new reworking here<br \/>\nof the old problem of the relation between text and image, where the text is<br \/>\nnot, say, the caption or the title, but the prompt.<\/p>\n<p>DA: I utilize a sequence of critical prompts to facilitate a dialogue between the<br \/>\nindividual image and the broader patterns and processes that contribute to its creation.<br \/>\nThese prompts serve as a means of interrogating the image and exploring its underlying<br \/>\nmeaning. By presenting a series of images, I am able to demonstrate the evolution and<br \/>\ntransformation of the image in response to these prompts, fostering a dynamic<br \/>\ninteraction between the specific and the broader context from which it emerges.<\/p>\n<p>This dialogue between the images not only encompasses their interconnection but also<br \/>\nextends to a dialogue between the artist and the viewer. The viewer is encouraged to<br \/>\nactively engage in the interpretive process by examining the relationships between the<br \/>\nimages. This participatory approach can lead to a deeper comprehension of the image<br \/>\nand its associated significance.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, in some projects I employed a series of prompts to investigate the intricate<br \/>\nrelationship between images and memory. These prompts posed questions such as<br \/>\n&#8220;What memories does this image evoke?&#8221; and &#8220;How does this image challenge or<br \/>\nreinforce our understanding of memory?&#8221; Through the presentation of a sequence of<br \/>\nimages, I aimed to illustrate the complex and multifaceted nature of the image-memory<br \/>\nconstruct.<\/p>\n<p>I believe that this approach to generative art fosters a more critical and engaged<br \/>\nperspective compared to simply presenting a single image. By showcasing a series of<br \/>\nimages, I am able to cultivate a more intricate and nuanced comprehension of the<br \/>\nimage and its associated meanings.<\/p>\n<p>The prompts I employed were designed with several intentions in mind:<\/p>\n<p>1. To establish a space for dialogue that bridges the specific image and the broader<br \/>\npatterns and processes that contribute to its creation.<br \/>\n2. To emphasize that the image is not solely a product of the algorithm but is also<br \/>\ninfluenced by the prompts provided.<br \/>\n3. To employ the prompts as a means of critical inquiry, enabling a deeper<br \/>\nexploration of the image&#8217;s meaning.<br \/>\n4. To engender a sense of movement and transformation between the specific<br \/>\nimage and its broader context.<br \/>\n5. To encourage viewer engagement and interpretation by inviting them to<br \/>\nconsider the interrelationships among the presented images.<\/p>\n<p>MF: You have worked with archives of images and systems for the<br \/>\nproduction of images, over many years, for instance in &#8216;Postcapital<br \/>\nArchive&#8217; and &#8216;The Disasters of War&#8217;. How does what is worked on by these<br \/>\nearlier projects compare to the nature of the archive as dataset?<\/p>\n<p>DA: My artistic process, since its nascent stages, has always embraced the concept of<br \/>\nseries as a core methodology. This approach is evident even in my early works from the<br \/>\n1990s, which incorporated burgeoning information and communication technologies,<br \/>\nincluding the internet. I believe that it is a way of accepting the complexity of this world,<br \/>\na conception of the plurality of interventions and the interplay of diverse principles and<br \/>\nelements. It provides a framework to comprehend, scrutinize, and engage with<br \/>\nphenomena connected to our complicated human reality, a reality best interpreted via<br \/>\noverarching principles rather than isolated details.<\/p>\n<p>With the advent of computers and the internet in the early 90s, my artistic methodology<br \/>\nbegan to evolve swiftly towards digitization &#8211; a transformation that continues to unfold.<br \/>\nThis evolution involved gathering and organizing information, creating databases,<br \/>\nboundless research, ethical hacking, pushing legislative boundaries, appropriation,<br \/>\ncollaborative intelligence, and collective creation. The &#8220;Postcapital Archive (1989\u2013<br \/>\n2001)&#8221; exemplifies these adapted and assimilated methodologies.<\/p>\n<p>In the &#8220;Postcapital Archive (1989\u20132001)&#8221;, all the constituent elements &#8211; be they images,<br \/>\nvideos, audio, text, or other forms of documents, incorporated in physical modules as<br \/>\ncollages, tableaux, montages, or resamplings &#8211; originate from the internet. The<br \/>\nexhibition also includes meta-texts, offering a chronological account of events between<br \/>\n1989 and 2001, along with a glossary. &#8220;Postcapital&#8221; embodies a modern archival reality<br \/>\nthat we inhabit more than merely visit, much like the multifaceted mythical Hydra, an<br \/>\napt metaphor for our &#8220;archive culture&#8221;. &#8220;Postcapital&#8221; to me, is a dynamic process that<br \/>\ncontinuously unravels new facets of inquiry, thereby prompting novel and unexpected<br \/>\nquestions.<\/p>\n<p>The core methodologies that drive my study, research, and development have remained<br \/>\nconsistent over the past three decades. What has evolved, however, is my artist&#8217;s<br \/>\ntoolbox.<br \/>\n&#8212;<br \/>\n# distributed via <nettime>: no commercial use without permission<br \/>\n# <nettime> is a moderated mailing list for net criticism,<br \/>\n# collaborative text filtering and cultural politics of the nets<br \/>\n# more info: https:\/\/www.nettime.org<br \/>\n# contact: nettime-l-owner@lists.nettime.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>*The time-honored nettime list is pondering Artificial Intelligence. Who can&#8217;t like a big, intellectually extensive chunk of critical text? Interview With Daniel Andjuar This interview, in the form of a set of long responses to shorter question-like prompts, is carried out in parallel to Daniel And\u00fajar\u2019s (http:\/\/danielandujar.org\/) recent exhibition at the gallery \u00e0ngels barcelona (http:\/\/angelsbarcelona.com\/). [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Interview With Daniel Andjuar | Artmaker Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Interview With Daniel Andjuar | Artmaker Blog\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/toshareproject.it\/artmakerblog\/interview-with-daniel-andjuar\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Interview With Daniel Andjuar | Artmaker Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Interview With Daniel Andjuar | Artmaker Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/toshareproject.it\/artmakerblog\/interview-with-daniel-andjuar\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Artmaker Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-09-08T11:51:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Bruce Sterling\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"21 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/toshareproject.it\/artmakerblog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/toshareproject.it\/artmakerblog\/\",\"name\":\"Artmaker Blog\",\"description\":\"on Toshareproject.it - 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