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Interview by Sina Braetz
IN CONVERSATION WITH AMIR FATTAL
With his solo exhibition “POST-ARTIFICIAL PAINTINGS” at the KÖNIG TELEGRAPHENAMT, Tel Aviv-born artist Amir Fattal, who has been based in Berlin since 2002, presents a fusion of generative AI and essences of classical art that depict people in the space of a fictional, idealized art scene.
Through an artwork within the artwork, the protagonists appear as a kind of perfect placeholder for wealth and elegance, a perfect reflection of society.
Numéro Berlin spoke to Amir Fattal about his path to art, artificial intelligence and what an ideal art scene actually looks like.
Amir, how did you get into art and what does it mean to you?
I attended an art high school starting at the age of 14, which set me on a professional path early on. At 21, I moved to New York to study art, and eventually, I ended up in Berlin, where I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the Art University of Berlin. I began exhibiting and curating while still in university.
You are an artist and a curator, how does one influence the other?
I enjoy collaborating with other artists and bringing together those whose work I admire. Life as an artist can be quite isolating, so organizing exhibitions gives me an opportunity to step out of my bubble. I also take pleasure in creating social spaces for interaction. It’s truly rewarding to see a space come alive with visitors engaging with the art and each other.
In your art, you deal a lot with advanced technology, 3D printing, animations and especially AI. What fascinates you about this?
I have a strong interest in new technologies and innovation within the creative field. For many years, I worked as a creative director for 3D printing. I am passionate about the learning process involved in mastering new technologies, whether it’s 3D printing, gaming engines, or AI. Engaging with new technologies opens up possibilities for developing my art practice.
You combine precisely these advanced technologies with elements of classical painting. The focus is always on people and art, people in the art scene. What prompted you to visualize this connection and how would you describe the connection between art and people in general? What does one do for the other?
The process was gradual, beginning with my early access to Midjourney, which captivated me from the start. I spent 7-10 hours a day designing, driven by curiosity about how it categorized styles and aesthetics. I experimented with creating artworks within images, allowing the AI to act as an artist and explore its creative potential. The AI’s proficiency in identifying what we find appealing led me to investigate what we culturally perceive as aspirational and tasteful, using the art world as a thematic lens.
“This is the rationale behind naming the exhibition “post-artificial painting,” as I believe this period will be regarded as a significant cultural and historical milestone.”
You represent a kind of idealized art world, but what does that mean? What is the art world like in reality and what is it like in your idealized imagination?
I use AI data to grasp contemporary ideals and representations of wealth, style, elegance, sophistication, and artistic sensibility. The portraits depict protagonists in the perfect settings for their art collections, adorned in designer attire, surrounded by meticulously arranged furniture, and exuding self-confidence. These images serve both as products and commentaries on our society, reflecting the diverse ways our collective data dreams up new realities.
“POST-ARTIFICIAL PAINTINGS” at KÖNIG TELEGRAPHENAMT is one of the first painting exhibitions worldwide that not only uses generative AI technology as a tool, but also introspectively explores the technology itself and its impact on the art world and society in general. Why is it the responsibility of artists to explore and question these new developments?
Generative AI represents one of the most significant tools humanity has developed. It is the artist’s duty to investigate and reflect upon it, as it will undoubtedly alter our approach to and engagement with creativity. Although the technology is still nascent, I anticipate that more artists will explore its implications and effects. This is the rationale behind naming the exhibition “post-artificial painting,” as I believe this period will be regarded as a significant cultural and historical milestone.
What possibilities do advanced technologies offer art in the future?
Predicting the future impact of advanced technologies on art is challenging. Just three years ago, the focus was on NFTs, and now it has shifted to AI. Engaging with data, particularly given the insights that large computing powers can provide beyond human comprehension, will likely play a crucial role. Additionally, AI’s ability to blend different styles into hybrid forms is something I believe will become increasingly important.
