The world’s first “ultrarealistic” robot artist is set for a solo exhibition this summer. Ai-Da has already made over £1 million from sales of her works and is now set for a full debut show called Unsecured Futures, due to open at Oxford University in June.
Ai-Da’s exhibition touches on the increasing tensions between man and machine in a world where technology is more pervasive than ever, showcasing large-scale video, sculpture, abstract painting and still life drawings of people she’s met.
The humanoid uses techniques that are worryingly human-esque, including drawing people from life “using her eye and a pencil in her hand”, an ability its creators from Oxford University claim to be a world-first.
Lucy Seal, Researcher and Curator for the project, said: “We are looking forward to the conversation Ai-Da sparks in audiences. A measure of her artistic potential and success will be the discussion she inspires. Engaging people so we feel empowered to re-imagine our attitudes to organic life and our futures is a major aim of the project.”
Aidan Meller, Gallery Director added: “Pioneering a new AI art movement, we are excited to present Ai-Da, the first professional humanoid artist, who creates her own art, as well as being a performance artist. As an AI robot, her artwork uses AI processes and algorithms. The work engages us to think about AI and technological uses and abuses in the world today.”
After reading the official description of Ai-Da, (which is truly horrifying) I’m definitely thinking long and hard about AI: “she has a ‘Mesmer’ head, featuring realistic silicone skin, 3D printed teeth & gums, integrated eye cameras, as well as individually punched hair” and, her creators claim, a “robothespian body”. Maybe she’s not much like us after all.
