Renowned multimedia artist Refik Anadol shares insights on what it means to be human in the era of artificial intelligence. Anadol, born in Istanbul in 1985, is a pioneer in developing an aesthetic based on AI and data utilization.


Currently based in Los Angeles, where he teaches at UCLA's Department of Design Media Arts, Anadol's work can be experienced in Bilbao at the Guggenheim Museum.


The museum has provided him with one of the largest rooms on the second floor to showcase "Living Architecture: Gehry", an installation that interprets and reinvents architect Frank Gehry's projects through lights, shadows, and colors. Anadol's innovative use of AI generates visual narratives that captivate audiences.


Blending Architecture, Materials, and Data in Art


Anadol's work revolves around utilizing surrounding data and computerized neural networks to create extraordinary visualizations of digitized memories, expanding the boundaries of interdisciplinary art. Collaborating with composer Kerim Karaoglu, Anadol creates a mesmerizing auditory landscape that complements his visual creations.


Transforming Data into Art


Anadol's exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao marks the beginning of a new series called "in situ", inviting contemplation on the equal footing of technology, science, music, performance, visual arts, and art in general.


He emphasizes that data are not just numbers but pigments of a new palette for painting the future. By synthesizing architectural data through AI, Anadol challenges the role of AI in contemporary art, emphasizing its ethical and creative value as a tool for imagination rather than mere reproduction.


In conclusion, Anadol's groundbreaking work prompts reflection on the human experience in the digital age, showcasing the transformative power of art and technology when combined thoughtfully.