Gropius Bau Unveils Ether’s Bloom, A Groundbreaking AI Artistic Programme

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept of the future but a reality that is reshaping our world today. With its potential to revolutionise various sectors, it’s no surprise that the art world has also embraced AI, exploring its utopian and poetic possibilities. The Gropius Bau, a prominent cultural centre in Berlin, has launched a programme called Ether’s Bloom that delves into the artistic possibilities of AI.

Running until January 14, 2024, Ether’s Bloom is an initiative that presents a diverse range of formats including artistic presentations, engaging conversations, and workshops. The programme also introduces a new Writer in Residence format featuring K Allado-McDowell. The programme is accessible both online and offline, with free admission to all interested in exploring the intersection of art and AI.

The rapid advancements in AI have far-reaching implications, impacting every aspect of our lives and even altering the way we connect with each other and the world around us. Ether’s Bloom invites its audience to explore these changes, focusing on the experimental, ethical, and poetic aspects of AI. The programme challenges us to rethink our relationships with each other, other life forms, and machines, offering a fresh perspective on the latest AI news & AI tools.

The programme is enriched by the contributions of cultural scientist Maya Indira Ganesh who provides thought-provoking content and publications throughout the year. Ether’s Bloom features several freely accessible installations that illustrate the transformative power of AI. Among these installations are Elisa Giardina Papa’s trilogy Technologies of Care and Mimi Ọnụọha’s short film These Networks in Our Skin. These works delve into the politics of labour and the practice of care in the digital economy and challenge the notion of technological “progress”.

Also featured is the artist duo kennedy+swan whose work illuminates the benefits of interspecies connections and reveals the constructive power of future AI systems. Their commissioned watercolour and AR work Mixed Signals explores the intriguing relationship between artificial intelligence, non-human communication systems and human perceptions of them.

In addition to the installations, Ether’s Bloom also includes the Writer in Residence format. This provides a digital space for exploring and publishing writings on artificial intelligence. The first essay in this series, Designing Neural Media by K Allado-McDowell, offers insights into the fundamental structures underlying AI and how neural media could reshape human experiences.

The programme also includes a podcast called Beyond and Within: AI Talks. This platform invites experts, artists, and researchers to delve deeper into the world of AI and discuss the vital questions it raises. The podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of the fast-growing technologies around AI.

Gropius Bau is also set to launch an AI-assisted app in spring 2024 as part of Ether’s Bloom. This app will provide structural support for users visiting the Gropius Bau, emphasising accessibility. The app is conceived as an important complement to the Gropius Bau’s existing educational programme, providing infrastructure for AI-based educational formats that are sustainable and can be used in the future.

Ether’s Bloom is a testament to the artistic possibilities of AI, from AI images generator to AI text generator. It invites us to engage with AI not just as a tool or a concept but as a reality that is reshaping our world. By exploring the utopian and poetic possibilities of AI, Ether’s Bloom presents a fresh perspective on the latest AI news & AI tools, challenging us to rethink our understanding of intelligence and our relationships with machines.