Hong Kong Arts Development Council presents Beyond the Singularity the Finale Exhibition of ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0

Exploring AI’s impact and potential in the art world

From 16 March to 7 April 2024
Free Admission

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(Hong Kong, 15 March 2024) The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) proudly presents Beyond the Singularity, the highly anticipated final exhibition of ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0. Curated by Isaac Leung, Beyond the Singularity is the first of its kind, Hong Kong’s premier AI-themed exhibition that delves into the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on human existence and artistic expression, constructing a journey through dynamic landscapes and dialogue to probe its ever-evolving potentiality. Running from 16 March to 7 April 2024, Beyond the Singularity will be presented at Showcase of HKADC in Wong Chuk Hang.

Inspired by the metamorphic term “singularity” - which at its advent described the infinite density and gravity of a black hole’s centre - and expanded to denote a future where AI surpasses human cognition, Beyond the Singularity aspires to establish a benchmark in the use of AI technology while raising thought-provoking questions about the role and significance of humanity in the context of the advancing integration of intelligent machine within the realm of art.

Engaging artists from across disciplines, Beyond the Singularity showcases a variety of art objects crafted in collaboration with AI tools, spanning mediums including ink art, western painting, photography, music, lyric writing, performance and arts criticism.

Adopting a process-oriented approach, the project introduces AI tools to creatives through workshops, months-long tutorials and instruction from AI experts – encouraging them to incorporate technology where they haven’t before. Throughout this process, participating artists are empowered to discover how AI technology can push the boundaries of their work and compel to contemplate the limits of language, AI’s influence on culture, the blurring line between reality and artificiality, authorship, free will, human-machine collaboration, originality in art and AI’s inherent limitations.

Isaac Leung, Curator of Beyond the Singularity, said “Probing the condition of art in the 21st century, this exhibition stands witness to a fascinating convergence: where the role of artist, AI expert, and intelligent machine become one and the same – intertwining to disrupt conventional boundaries in the art world. This collaboration destabilises our understanding of authorship, reshapes artistic methods, and ultimately obscures humanity’s function in art production.

Ms Winsome Chow, Chief Executive of HKADC, said “The advent of technology brings infinite possibilities for artistic creation. Themed as AI, Beyond the Singularity encourages artists to explore the intersections and sparks the interaction of arts and technology, introducing novel arts experiences to the audience.  We hope the exhibition locating at Showcase, our brand new arts apace in Wong Chuk Hang, will bring arts tech into the community, reaching out to the general public.”

Participating artists from different generations and arts genres include Kurt Chan Yuk-keung, Chow Yiu-fai, Chui Pui-chee, Mak2, So Hing-keung, Phoebe Wong, Stephen Wong Chun-hei, David Chan and Kingston Lo, Frog King & Frog Queen (Kwok Mang-ho & Cho Hyun-jae), and Virtue Village.

Exhibition highlights: Challenging AI: The Paintings of Chui Pui Chee by Chui Pui-chee presents a unique confrontation between AI and artist that examines how AI can ‘compete’ to capture and perhaps even surpass the celebrated styles and techniques of historical figures in ink art; Between Reality and AI by So Hing-keung employs AI to artistically transform photographs into paintings – mimicking the style of greats like da Vinci, Botticelli, and Caravaggio in generated paintings of Hong Kong; My Drawing Teacher by Wong Chun-hei trains an AI on the artist’s personal diary entries, processing the data in order to instruct the artist to create a series of paintings; Frog AI Topia 2024 by Frog King & Frog Queen blends elements of AI generated art into a mixed-media artistic production, treating AI as a collaborator rather than simply a tool. 

Over the course of the exhibition, HKADC will host a wide range of public programmes and educational events that explore the complexities of AI tools and their potential impact on humanity. These events include workshops, artist talks and guided tours. Interested parties can register online for free to experience the unique work of the artists.

List of artworks:


Challenging AI: The Paintings of Chui Pui Chee by Chui Pui-chee


Between Reality and AI by So Hing-keung


My Drawing Teacher by Stephen Wong Chun-hei


Frog AI Topia 2024 by Frog King & Frog Queen

Exhibition and Programme Details:

Beyond the Singularity (Curated by Isaac Leung)

Workshop - Beyond the Basics: Navigating AI Fundamentals



Are you intrigued by the impactful potential of AI but unsure where to start? Join us for our “Beyond the Basics: Navigating AI Fundamentals” where we’ll equip you with the foundational knowledge to navigate the world of AI tools. In this interactive workshop, our expert instructor will simplify the complexities of AI into understandable concepts. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some prior knowledge, this workshop is designed to cater to all levels of expertise. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a solid understanding of AI fundamentals, practical experience with AI tools, and the ability to assess AI’s implications critically. Join us on an adventure to decode the mysteries of AI. Just bring your curiosity and don’t miss this opportunity to level up your AI knowledge!
 

Artists Talk - Beyond Art? Navigating the Age of AI



This talk will delve into the experiences of the participating artists in this exhibition, providing insights into their months-long creative processes involving AI technology. In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the intersection of AI and art has become a subject of profound fascination and debate. We stand at the crossroads of creativity and computation, where AI is redefining the essence of art itself. Throughout this talk, we will hear directly from the participating artists about their journeys through AI-generated art, ethical dilemmas, creative collaborations and the transformative impact of AI on various artistic domains. Our discussions will cover topics ranging from AI as a new creator to the challenges of AI art, exploring the symbiotic relationship between AI and human creativity and envisioning the future of artistic imagination.
 

Beyond the Singularity Artist and Curator Guided Tour



Beyond the Singularity Artist and Curator Guided Tour is divided into three sessions. Led by the curator and participating artists, these tours offer an in-depth understanding of the creative concept behind the exhibits and the application of AI from different perspectives, exploring how AI influences the forms of artistic expression and the future of art.
 

About ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0
To promote the arts tech development in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) launched the first ARTS • TECH Exhibition in 2022, transforming historical sites into immersive spaces for interactive arts experiences. In light of the success, HKADC organised the ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0 in 2023 with a larger scale in prominent locations. The opening exhibition, Fill in the Blanks, captivated over a million Hong Kong people and visitors along the picturesque Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and followed by Make & Believe which offered a seamless integration of artistic disciplines. The exhibition and extended programmes successfully attracted wide media coverage and enthusiastic participation from citizens and visitors of different age groups. All guided tours and workshops are full. 

About Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Established in 1995, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) is a statutory body set up by the Government to support the broad development of the arts in Hong Kong. Its major roles include grant allocation, policy and planning, advocacy, promotion and development, and special projects. The mission of HKADC is to support and promote the development of 10 major art forms in literary arts, performing arts, visual arts as well as film and media arts in Hong Kong. Aiming to foster a thriving arts environment and enhance the quality of life of the public, HKADC is also committed to facilitating community-wide participation in arts and arts education, encouraging arts criticism, raising the standard of arts administration and contributing to policy research.

ARTS‧TECH Exhibition 2.0 information is available on the official website: https://arts-tech.hk/

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