Creative Machine

Organizers: Taikang Art Museum, Creative Machine

Curators: William Latham, Tang Xin, Zhou Yi

Academic Chair and Moderator: Frederic Fol Leymarie

Consultant: Han Yajuan

Artists：

Contemporary

Memo Akten / Katie Peyton Hofstadter，Chando Ao，Han Yajuan，William Latham / Stephen Todd，Liu Jiayu，Parashkev Nachev，Félix Luque Sánchez / Vincent Evrard / Damien Gernay，Patrick Tresset，Maxim Zhestkov

Historical
Paul Brown, Harold Cohen, Ernest Edmonds, David Em, Herbert W. Franke, Desmond Paul Henry, Heinrich Heidersberger, William Latham, Andy Lomas, Manfred Mohr, Vera Molnar, Frieder Nake

Education
Max Bittker, Harold Cohen, John Horton Conway, George Corney, Amanda Ghassaei, Ross Hill, Benoit Mandelbrot, Craig Reynolds, Matt Ruten, Karl Sims, John Whitney Sr

Continuing Taikang Art Museum’s exploration of the theme of “media”, Creative Machine examines the impact of emerging technologies on art as a starting point. This is a large-scale international exhibition that focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, computer art, and creativity. It aims to explore the boundary between human and machine creativity. Observing AI and digital art creation from a global perspective, the exhibition features selected works from 30 artists/collectives worldwide. The exhibition is divided into three distinct narrative sections: “History”, “Education”, and “Contemporary.”

The “Contemporary” section showcases robotic art, interactive AI, computer art, and generative art through large-scale projections and installations by renowned international and Chinese artists. This section represents the cutting edge of AI-driven artistic practices, offering an exploration of a future world that is close at hand for all of us.

The “History” section showcases the works of pioneering figures in digital arts from the 1950s to the late 1990s. Featured artists include John Whitney, the “Father of Computer Graphics”; Vera Molnar, the “Mother of Computer Art”; Benoit Mandelbrot, the “Father of Fractal Geometry”; Harold Cohen, creator of AARON, one of the earliest robot artist; and Craig Reynolds, a trailblazer in 3D animation for film. During the past sixty years, these visionaries ignited the spark that fused modern technology and art.

The “Education” section provides introductory background information on the history and technologies involved in digital art for audiences new to the field. It offers foundational knowledge for those embarking on a journey into the AI era, while also delivering in-depth content on generative art and algorithmic design for viewers with prior knowledge in related areas.

While showcasing the forefront of AI art, this exhibition also offers a media archaeology perspective that weaves together a condensed history of digital art’s evolution. Through the journeys and iconic works of digital art pioneers from different eras, and immersive experience of contemporary AI art, TAM looks forward to exploring with you the evolution and future of humanity from a new perspective.