The Art of the Future: A Journey Through Technology and Storytelling
The Onassis Foundation’s ONX Studio
In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Onassis Foundation’s ONX Studio, a high-tech media lab, is home to innovative digital video installations that push the boundaries of storytelling and technology. Among these is "The Golden Key," a project that delves into the world of artificial intelligence-driven video art. We spoke with Marc Da Costa, a digital artist with a Ph.D. in anthropology, who was demonstrating the installation’s capabilities.
The Art of Storytelling
Da Costa’s "The Golden Key" is an interactive installation that allows viewers to generate their own stories, inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s classic tale of the same name. By feeding a massive index of folklore into an AI system, Da Costa and his co-creator, Matthew Niederhauser, have programmed the AI to simulate the kind of stories that have been passed down through generations, telling us who we are and where we come from. This project is not just about entertainment; it’s about exploring the consequences of machines telling us stories.
The Future of Storytelling
As we move forward in the digital age, it’s essential to consider the role of technology in shaping our understanding of the world. Da Costa and Niederhauser’s project serves as a warning about the potential consequences of relying on AI to tell us what is true or false. "What if someone set up autonomous AI systems that operated on an industrial scale to fabricate stories that were meaningless or, worse, false?" Da Costa asked. "It doesn’t take much to think about who is going to be in control of these tools, what are going to be the economic interests behind that, and the political interests?"
The Onassis Foundation’s ONX Studio
The Onassis Foundation, through its ONX Studio, has made available its multimillion-dollar facilities to dozens of artists for free, fostering a community of innovation and creativity. The studio’s mission is to bring together artists, technologists, and scholars to explore the intersection of art, technology, and society.
Techne: A Festival of Digital Art
Techne, a festival within a festival, is a collection of four digital video installations on view at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Fisher building. The series, curated and funded by the Onassis Foundation’s ONX, features the work of artists such as John Fitzgerald and Godfrey Reggio, Margarita Athanasiou, and Stephanie Dinkins. The festival runs through January 19 and includes a special screening of "Koyaanisqatsi" on January 7 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A with John Fitzgerald and Godfrey Reggio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is "The Golden Key"?
A: "The Golden Key" is an interactive digital video installation that allows viewers to generate their own stories using an AI-driven video art system.
Q: How does the AI system work?
A: The AI system is trained on a massive index of folklore and can simulate the kind of stories that have been passed down through generations, telling us who we are and where we come from.
Q: What is the purpose of "The Golden Key"?
A: The purpose of "The Golden Key" is to explore the consequences of machines telling us stories and to encourage viewers to think critically about how technology works.
Q: How can I experience "The Golden Key"?
A: "The Golden Key" is part of the Techne festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Fisher building, running through January 19.
