Title: not use - Separate or Reassemble: Generative AI and Media History

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Text: ### Publication

Lev Manovich. "Separate and Reassemble: Generative AI and Media History." (Chapter 7 of Artificial Aesthetics by Lev Manovich and Emanuele Arielli.)

### Abstract

In Chapter 7 I delve into the intriguing realm of AI-generated art, examining how artificial intelligence redefines our perceptions of aesthetics and creativity. I trace the evolution of visual modernism from the early 20th-century experiments of Picasso and Braque, who embraced fragmentation as a means of artistic expression, to contemporary AI's capacity to extract and recombine visual patterns on an unprecedented scale.

AI-generated fragments are distinct from traditional art fragments, existing as digital entities untethered from specific historical contexts. These fragments represent a new form of cultural memory, characterized by an abundance of imagery that lacks the temporal and spatial specificity of traditional artifacts. I consider the implications of this development, highlighting the limitations and potential of AI as a creative tool. Despite its capacity to process vast image databases, AI often struggles with generating unique details that transcend mere recombination. My analysis underscores the dynamic tension between technological advancement and artistic innovation, offering a critical perspective on the role of AI in reshaping our aesthetic sensibilities and creative practices.