Landscapes recreated by artificial intelligence – A site-specific artistic intervention at the Museion Bookshop by Michael Fink 

Landscapes recreated by artificial intelligence

A site-specific artistic intervention at the Museion Bookshop by Michael Fink

Card Rack (Greeting Cards) 2023

“In my work I formulate questions that deal with humans as the “dominant” species and their influence, as well as the coexistence with non-human life. Through my research I have repeatedly come across the medium of postcards, which I am now examining more closely in the context of the performance “Card Rack” (Greeting Cards);

The act of sending postcards, in addition to questions of prestige, staging, economics, ego and ownership, also holds something interpersonally valuable, private, special. The depiction of a landscape inevitably leads to its appropriation, its sending on postcards automatically to the assertion of its existence, a promise of its physical experienceability. The postcards installed in a conventional card holder in “Card Rack”, however, visualise illusions. The Landscapes depicted have been created by an artificial intelligence that works off of familiar postcard motifs. Due to urbanisation, the greatest population density is found in our cities. What we call nature is largely consumed there in digital space via a display. This “alienations” creates an abstract image of the term. The focus of the work is not in the celebration of technology and AI, where here serves merely as a tool, but more in capturing that abstract idea of untouched landscape. The illusion is never complete, but usually good enough to tempt the viewer to accept it as reality. Only a closer look gives rise to doubts. Since the artificial intelligence works off existing postcard motifs worldwide, there is something for everyone. The postcard can therefore appear very familiar, yet it remains out of touch. In order to do justice to the postcard medium, the work is installed at best in book or souvenir stores in the cultural sector. A postcard then costs 70 cents and wants to be purchased and sent in the sense of the of its medium. Through this process, sender and receiver become part of the performance. There is no indication on the greeting cards that it is an artistic work – whether and how this is communicated to the purchasers is put o the management. In any case, I would like the money generated to remain in the respective institutions and thus serve the promotion of culture. The postcard stand as an object is not for sale”.

–  Michael Fink