Whether science, technology, or arts, artificial intelligence has been accompanying us for many years, easing our daily lives while also introducing new uncertainties. AI offers opportunities that we once thought unimaginable for machines. In the art world as well, AI is no longer rare or surprising.
Among many other contributors, the Berlin-based gallery KÖNIG GALERIE is participating in the group exhibition REIMAGINE TOMORROW, 1954-2024: AI IN CONTEXT, held at the former Heilig Geist church in collaboration with EXPANDED.ART and the AI Biennale in Essen. Curator Anika Meier has invited over 50 international artists, platforms, and galleries to engage in conversations about the future of art, in which AI is set to play a significant role.
The exhibition REIMAGINE TOMORROW examines the early questions about art and technology that arose in the 1950s, when artist Herbert W. Franke had to prove that machines could indeed create art. Contemporary artists such as Amir Fattal, Maria Mavropoulou or Refik Anadol – contributed by KÖNIG GALERIE – demonstrate how machines can enhance modern life and art, showcasing the diverse ways in which they interpret AI´s potential. 

Greek visual artist Maria Mavropoulou, who holds a Master´s in Fine Arts and a BA from the Athens School of Fine Arts, is known for her photographic work. Her expertise lies in exploring digital identity and the online experiences that now shape so much of our world.
Berlin-based artist and curator Amir Fattal investigates historical and cultural aesthetics through AI, 3D printing, and digital animation. His work illustrates that creativity remains at the core of art, even when utilizing these advanced tools.
Media artist and director Refik Anadol, based in Los Angeles, uses raw data as his primary material to create what he calls „painting with a thinking brush“. Through his expertise, he expands the realms of architecture, narrative, and the moving body, exploring the intertwined creativity of humans and machines.
Throughout his life, Herbert W. Franke was captivated by innovative techniques and machinery. His artistic journey was marked by a constant search for the creative potential in technology, all while maintaining an analytical approach to art.

“The wise artist doesn’t fear emergent technology, but rather asks, ‘How can I use this tool in a meaningful way?’ What I find so valuable in AI, and deep-learning algorithms in particular, is its power to surface that which I may not have been able to without assistance. In working intimately with AI, the artist has the opportunity to come under the influence of the machine. This is not a simple transaction from which one walks away unchanged. The machine can teach us a different way of looking at a subject, often leaving us with another understanding and with enhanced sensibilities. We are changed. Indeed, to properly navigate our AI-future, this form of evolution is necessary. Artists and philosophers will be our guides.”

– Kevin Abosch

The exhibitions opens on November 17 with a reception where all artists and contributors will be present. A panel discussion, UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE MACHINE. FROM GENERATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY TO AI, moderated by Anika Meier and featuring artists Kevin Abosch, James Bloom, Boris Eldagsen, Monika Fleischmann, and Susanne Päch, will delve deeper into the themes of the exhibition and provide insights from diverse perspectives.
REIMAGINE TOMORROW, 1954-2024: AI IN CONTEXT #2 is set to run until November 24.