The Intersect of Tech and Art

When Guillermo del Toro compares Frankenstein to a careless tech bro and declares he'd rather die than use generative AI, you know we're in for something special. This accidental Halloween edition brings you dancing skeletons for science, pixels so tiny they've hit the absolute limit of human vision, and Indigenous artists staging unauthorized augmented reality interventions at The Met. Plus, wate...

When a cutting-edge digital musician retreats to his acoustic guitar for therapy rather than production, you know something profound is shifting in how we relate to technology and creativity. This week on The Intersect, we explore why artists are questioning whether easier always means better, and what happens when the tools meant to liberate us start feeling like cages. Episode Highlights The Cos...

Digital art is breaking free from its online echo chambers and claiming its rightful place on gallery walls. From buildings computed into existence through parametric design to chalk murals that save lives, this episode explores how technology isn't just changing art—it's forcing the entire art world to adapt and open up in ways we never imagined. Episode Highlights Zaha Hadid's Computed Architect...

Before we get into this week’s stories, a quick note: This will be the last edition of The Intersect for a while. I’m taking a step back for a summer break, with plans to return in mid-July or early August. I hope these next few weeks offer all of us a little more space to look up, look around, and recharge away from screens. In this edition, you’ll find reflections on music’s disappearing act in...

This week I’m stepping into territory I usually sidestep: politics. Several stories here touch on art’s uneasy relationship with power, public policy, and the ways culture gets shaped—or squeezed—by whoever holds the reins. I know this isn’t our usual beat, so if you’re here for cosmic illusions or the odd bit of digital nostalgia, don’t worry, there’s some of that too. From city planning that tre...

New perspectives on how technology shapes perception, from factory floor murals to revolutionary camera sensors. We explore the idea that art can enhance productivity and emotional well-being in industrial spaces. We also discuss how our perceptions of new technologies are shaped by our past experiences, as illustrated by an article on virtual realities. The conversation shifts to innovative appro...

This marks a significant milestone, as it is issue 52, celebrating a full year of curated discussions. We delve into the complexities of the contemporary art world, examining how various subfields define art differently and what it means to create art outside established norms. We also discuss the fascinating blend of traditional and modern techniques, illustrated through the works of artists like...

This episode focuses on the shift from traditional craftsmanship towards a focus on meaning and strategy in design, prompting critical questions about creativity and education. We also examine various topics, including the impact of AI on artistic expression, architectural challenges in the face of climate change, and innovative installations showcased at Milan Design Week. Throughout our conversa...

Today, we explore the urgency of understanding the data that permeates our daily lives, encouraging us to look beyond surface-level acceptance and ask deeper questions about the data we encounter. We touch on various topics, including the integration of AI in film and how it affects artistic merit, as well as how public art can enrich community narratives. Additionally, we examine the role of muse...

In this episode, we discuss how art and technology intersect in various contexts, starting with a goth art festival on a decommissioned aircraft carrier and moving through topics like design education's evolution to embrace technology. The latest episode emphasizes the importance of blending creativity with systems thinking, allowing artists to shape change rather than just adapt to it. We also ex...

This episode highlights how artistic visions often influence technological advancements, particularly in fields like space exploration and music. We discuss the interplay between artists and scientists, questioning whether our pursuit of innovation is merely an attempt to catch up to what artists have already imagined. Juergen's insights challenge us to think critically about the value of human cr...

We explore various pieces, starting with a fascinating data visualization project at a children’s hospital that transforms live data into dynamic art. This installation aims to make vast data sets more relatable and human, prompting us to consider what other invisible systems could be visualized beautifully. We also delve into music education with Apple Music's new feature, which enriches the list...

This week's episode of "The Intersect" focuses on how artists are challenging and redefining their relationship with AI technology. We explore the distinction between artists who merely use AI and those who engage deeply with its underlying mechanisms. This critical examination reveals how true originality in AI art comes from understanding and interrogating the systems that generate it. We also d...

We discuss the visual elements and deeper implications of Geoffrey Pugin's 'Webptology, Prisms' exhibition and question whether tech-focused art exhibitions are pushing artistic boundaries or relying on spectacle. We also address Spotify's record payout to artists and the sustainability of the streaming model. Other topics include AI use in creative platforms, tools to protect artists from AI appr...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of art and technology through the lens of Juergen Berkessel's latest newsletter. We discuss how innovative projects, like the BBC Philharmonic's Augmented Orchestra, are transforming the concert experience by creating immersive environments for audiences. Juergen also highlights the work of artists like Zachary Corzine, whose digital flowers blur the li...

This episode of "The Intersect" focuses on highlighting how emerging technologies challenge the authenticity of artistic expression. We examine the impact of social media algorithms on artists, pushing them toward content creation that prioritizes engagement over authenticity. The discussion also covers the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in art, including concerns about copyright and the potential f...

This episode examines how platforms like Spotify can create echo chambers in musical taste, limiting our exploration of new sounds. The conversation shifts to the impact of AI on artistic creation, highlighting an exhibition that contrasts traditional photography with AI-generated images. We also delve into the role of artists in shaping public policy and how a recent British art fair embraced dig...

Topics include the impact of algorithmic playlists on music discovery and artist royalties, pedestrian safety initiatives using street art, Juergen's insights on the creator economy, the 35th anniversary of the 'Pale Blue Dot' photograph, a hidden portrait discovered in a Picasso painting using infrared imaging, Miami's Paradox Museum blending art and science, and the growing need for art preserva...

This episode centers on the transformative effects of AI on the creative landscape, as highlighted in issue 40 of Juergen Berkessel's newsletter, “The Intersect.” We discuss how AI is not just a tool for creation, but also a means of preserving cultural heritage and enhancing artistic expression. Throughout our conversation, we explore various examples, from the innovative use of AI in music resto...

From shape-shifting documentaries to digital art preservation, exploring how technology transforms creative expression and cultural heritage. Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/39 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Join us as we explore the pressing question of truth in photography amidst the rise of AI-generated visuals. Juergen invites us to consider the challenges documentary photography faces in an era filled with deep fakes and misinformation, emphasizing the erosion of trust in visual media. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we examine how artists like Su Gwen Shang are redefining the artist...

Sasha Minjia's digital manipulation in photography to evoke memory and loss, the influence of digital overload on our ability to empathize with images of tragedy, an exploration of whimsical art projects in space like Michael Genberg's moon cottage, and the acquisition of art analysis by AI companies raising questions of expertise and control. The newsletter also highlights Birkenstock's legal bat...

This episode of 'The Intersect' covers Juergen's experiments with AI tools like OpenAI's Sora, the merging of AI creativity and gaming physics, and their potential applications in environmental and medical fields. The episode also celebrates the 20th anniversary of Christo and Jean Claude's 'The Gates' with a new AR twist and explores how artists are using digital glitches in traditional mediums....

In this episode of The Intersect, we explore the evolving role of art in a rapidly changing world. Key highlights include Juergen's curated articles covering a groundbreaking astronomical project by NOI Lab, the launch of AI Art Magazine, the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral, and various initiatives blending science and art. The discussion also touches on the usage of AI in museums, the societa...

In the latest episode of "The Intersect of Art and Tech," our hosts take you through the intricate and often surprising intersections where art and technology meet. Showcasing Juergen Berkessel's Issue 34 of the newsletter, we unravel how emerging technologies are shaping artistic expressions, from Riley Walls' digital archaeology using forgotten YouTube clips to Ala Ebtekar's mesmerizing cyanotyp...