New Hirshhorn Series Invites Artists and Scientists To Explore the Future of Digital Humanity

Starting Sept. 29, “Art + Science” Decodes Artificial Intelligence, Facial Substitution, Synthetic Emotions
August 23, 2016
News Release
Social Media Share Tools
Animated image of Barack Obama at podium

The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden announces “Art + Science,” a provocative new three-part discussion series that brings together internationally renowned digital artists and research scientists from top universities to investigate humanity and identity in the digital world.

Recent advances in technology enable computer programs to mimic facial expressions, decision making and even emotions. Tools such as artificial intelligence software, facial substitution and swapping—once restricted to scientists or governments—are now available for artists to incorporate into their practice.

Held Sept. 29, Oct. 20 and Nov. 17, each “Art + Science” event will explore crucial questions about creativity, technology and humanity in order to discover the potential—and challenges—of these digital tools for the future of both science and art.

The series is presented in conjunction with the Hirshhorn’s current exhibition “Suspended Animation,” which highlights artists who use digitally generated images to question reality.

All events are free and open to the public and will be held in the Hirshhorn’s Ring Auditorium.

Art + Science: Digital Doppelgängers

Thursday, Sept. 29; 6:30 p.m.

Artist Josh Kline and Stanford professor Matthias Niessner discuss face substitution, digital reality and real-time video manipulation. Kline’s “Hope and Change,” a restaging of the 2009 inaugural address with a digitally re-created President Barack Obama, is currently on view in “Suspended Animation.”

Art + Science: Computing Emotion

Thursday, Oct. 20; 6:30 p.m.

Artist Antoine Catala and MIT professor Fox Harrell discuss ways to mimic natural systems and emotion through digital tools. Catala’s “The Pleasure of Being Sad” uses animation, holograms and “breathing” sculptures to convey complicated human expressions.

Art + Science: Artificial Intelligence

Thursday, Nov. 17; 6:30 p.m.

Artist Ian Cheng and Duquesne University professor Charles T. Rubin examine algorithms, game design and nanotechnology to create the intelligence of choice and human nature. Cheng’s Emissary in the Squat of Gods” is a two-channel video that evolves much the same way as a primitive society would.

About the Hirshhorn

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is the national museum of modern and contemporary art and a leading voice for 21st-century art and culture. Part of the Smithsonian, the Hirshhorn is located prominently on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. With nearly 12,000 paintings, sculptures, photographs, mixed-media installations, works on paper and new media works, its holdings encompass one of the most important collections of postwar American and European art in the world. The Hirshhorn presents diverse exhibitions and offers an array of public programs on the art of our time-free to all, 364 days a year. For more information, visit hirshhorn.si.edu.

# # #

SI-403-2016