The Vault of Wonders: Chapter 1 - The Abyssal Unseen by Boldtron

*"The Vault of Wonders: Chapter 1 - The Abyssal Unseen"*
*This collection by artistic duo Xavier and Daniel, the Boldtron twins, showcases a groundbreaking advancement in AI video technology that marries the historical curiosity of Renaissance cabinets with the enigmatic depths of the abyssal ocean. The work features creatures once only imaginable, now realized through sophisticated AI tools, embodying a symbiosis of natural traits and digital craftsmanship that challenges the boundaries between the organic and the fabricated.*
Historically, the Renaissance cabinets of curiosities collected wonders that blurred the lines between natural history and imaginative interpretation, much like "The Abyssal Unseen" blurs the lines between biological reality and digital fabrication. These cabinets often featured exotic specimens that tantalized both the intellect and the imagination, serving as precursors to modern museums by engaging the viewer in a dialogue about the diversity of the natural world and the oddities it contains. In parallel, this collection invites viewers to reflect on the authenticity and ontology of beings born from digital code, urging a reconsideration of what constitutes 'life' in the digital age.
The use of looping in the twins' videos draws a direct line to the early mechanics of animated art, where repetition served not just as a technical necessity but as a method to enchant and engage. The loop in digital media, historically rooted in the ceaseless repetition of stroboscopic motion and zoetrope animations, here transcends its origins to breathe life-like rhythm into pixelated creations. This looping, mirroring the endless cycles found in naturefrom the regeneration of deep-sea biota to the rhythmic pulsations of abyssal creaturesembeds each digital organism within the broader narrative of perpetual life cycles.
The abyssal theme of the collection resonates with the scarcely explored and poorly understood regions of the deep ocean, where organisms thrive in conditions that defy human survivability. The biological adaptations of these creaturesdeveloped in response to extreme pressure, darkness, and scarcityfind a digital echo in the creations of the Boldtron twins, whose work illuminates the adaptability and creativity necessary to explore and depict uncharted territories, whether they lie at the bottom of the ocean or within lines of code.
Furthermore, the detailed character design reflects the painstakingly precise methodologies of both ancient scientific illustration and modern digital animation. Just as naturalists of the past rendered detailed drawings to capture the complexity of unknown species, the Boldtron twins employ advanced digital tools to sculpt intricate details that invite close scrutiny, echoing the meticulous art of historical explorers and artists who documented the mysterious and the unseen.
In conclusion, "The Vault of Wonders: Chapter 1 - The Abyssal Unseen" is not merely a collection of digital art; it is an intellectual exploration that connects the rich history of scientific and artistic curiosity with contemporary digital creativity. It challenges visitors to ponder the evolving relationship between nature and technology, encouraging a deeper appreciation of how digital environments can not only mimic but also extend the natural world in forms that challenge our perceptions and expand our understanding of life itself.
As you traverse this digital cabinet of curiosities, consider each piece not only as a visual spectacle but as a node in the vast network of cultural and scientific exploration that has sought to understand and depict the realms beyond the immediate reach of human senses.

Videos by BOLDTRON
Music and Sound Design by MYGAL 
MYGAL is a distinguished Spanish DJ and producer. He has made a significant impact on the international music scene, showcasing his talent with performances for renowned fashion brands such as Jacquemus at the prestigious Boiler Room. His notable collaborations extend to sharing the stage with globally acclaimed artists, including the likes of Dua Lipa.

Gelatinosa circulata

DAILY.XYZ

And who by fire, who by water
Who in the sunshine, who in the night time
Who by high ordeal, who by common trial
Who in your merry merry month of may
Who by very slow decay
And who shall I say is calling?

Leonard Cohen
Sound Design by Michael Vignola

Visu_AI_Poetry - Who By Fire

Anatomy of a space. The waiting room for the dead. Discover again for the first time the corners and subtle movements in the plane everyone knows and everyone wants to forget 
Music by Hot Air Balloons

Running a Fever - Funeral Home

Inspired by the best worst movies I've ever seen! In 1970, this would be a nightmarish horror movie that would stick with you for life.
Sound design by Noper

Noper - bigcitylivin

In the sweltering embrace of a German sauna, a desolate love blossoms and dies. The wooden walls absorb the unspoken, and the rest is steam.

Sound Design and Music by Mind Wank

Mind Wank - CHAPTER 2 - RIVERS

Post Photographic Perspectives III: Taming The Machine

*Post Photographic Perspectives III: Taming The Machine*

The initial Fellowship program was all about photography. We worked with artists like Gregory Crewdson, Guy Bourdin, Cristina de Middel, Laurie Simmons, August Sander, and many more. We see photography as one of the mediums that created one of the most important cultural shifts of the last 200 years. Photography is everywhere, and its effects can be felt in all aspects of life and art. So when AI images started to speak a sort of ""photographic"" language, we believed it was imperative to address the connection between these mediums. At their core, both mediums describe the world we live in. One directly captures it, the other one is an imagined picture of the world. For our last installment of the Post Photographic Perspectives group exhibitions, we wanted to offer a clear view of how AI tools and artistic explorations we saw artists using in PPP I have changed and evolved into different visual manifestations in a period of one year.

This curatorial project looks to present a group of artists who, via their individual techniques and themes, are fighting the machine hallucinations created via AI tools to create a unique voice within the myriad of AI images being produced today. In this push and pull, new propositions of form are being developed that emanate an apparent tension between the generic production of images these algorithmic tools are intended to create and the creators' desires to impose their artistic visions.

As artists venture into this new frontier, they confront a delicate balance: how much of their creative process should be entrusted to the machine, and at what point does this partnership become a relinquishment of control? Each piece in the exhibition serves as a marker in this ongoing negotiation, a reflection of the artist's struggle to maintain authority over a tool that possesses the capacity to both amplify and overshadow.

The very act of integrating AI into the artistic process raises questions about authorship and authenticity. As the machine learns and adapts, generating outputs that can surprise and even transcend initial expectations, artists must decide where to draw the line. The fear of becoming mere operators, guiding a process rather than birthing a vision, looms large. It prompts a reevaluation of what it means to create, pushing artists to establish boundaries that ensure their hand remains firmly at the helm, guiding the AI without being subsumed by its capabilities.

Yet, ""Taming the Machine"" is not just a showcase of these struggles; it is also a testament to the human spirit in the face of technological upheaval. It celebrates the artists who navigate this complex terrain and those who learn to speak the language of algorithms without losing their own. These creators do not shy away from the machine's potential but engage with it critically, setting limits where necessary to safeguard the personal touch that defines their work.

In this context, the machine is neither adversary nor sovereign but a catalyst that, when carefully managed, can expand the horizons of what is possible in art. The exhibition underscores the importance of intentionality in using AI tools, advocating for a partnership where the artist's vision remains paramount, and the technology serves to realize that vision in previously unimaginable ways.

""Taming the Machine emerges as a narrative of adaptation, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between human creativity and digital innovation; a current journey marked by moments of tension and harmony.

The artists included are:
- Diego Trujillo
- Hrant Khachatryan
- Iigo Bilbao
- Ivonna Tau
- Jess Mac
- Lily Illo
- Olga Fedorova
- Ossagrosse
- Pete Burkeet
- Sheldrick

Sheldrick - Buchaechum  02

There is never a clear option, we seemingly always are posed with several choices. How would one narrow a choice down to one? I am sorry dude, but please just make a snack selection I need to make it to class.

Sound Design by ContentBeware