The emergence of art generated by artificial intelligence

At the intersection of art and technology, a pioneer challenged the boundaries of creativity decades before artificial intelligence became a common headline today. Harold Cohen, renowned British abstract painter, left his mark not only on canvas, but also on electronic circuits, by creating the art world's first artificial intelligence. Now, a new exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, “Harold Cohen: Aaron,” delves into this visionary’s fascinating legacy.

In the late 1960s, Cohen, while teaching art at the University of California, San Diego, felt creative restlessness and the need to explore new frontiers. His inquisitive mind led him to abandon traditional paints and canvases in favor of computers, seeking new ways of artistic expression. This was how Aaron was born, a revolutionary program that would mark a new chapter in the history of art.

In 1974, Cohen introduced the world to the fruit of his labor: Aaron, named after Moses' brother and a central figure in the biblical Exodus. This artificial intelligence software, a pioneer in its field, has paved the way for a new way of creating art, challenging conventional notions of authorship and creativity. Rather than relying on a database of images like modern AI, Aaron is designed to learn and create from scratch, mimicking human decision-making.

Through June 2024, the Whitney Museum of American Art offers visitors a unique, immersive experience in computer-generated art. The “Harold Cohen: Aaron” exhibition goes beyond traditional exhibits, allowing viewers to witness the software’s creative process in real time. Cohen has equipped Aaron with a wealth of knowledge, from basic physics principles to fundamental drawing techniques, allowing the software to perform complex tasks and make artistic decisions autonomously.

The Whitney presents two versions of Cohen's software, each accompanied by the works he generated. The 2001 version, known as Aaron KCAT, impresses with its depictions of figures and plants, projected on a monumental scale onto the museum wall. Meanwhile, the 2007 version transports viewers to the lush world of jungles, demonstrating the versatility and continuous evolution of computer-generated art.

By celebrating the visionary work of Harold Cohen, the Whitney highlights the importance of experimentation and collaboration between art and technology. The exhibition not only pays homage to one of the pioneers of computer-generated art, but also invites the public to reflect on the limits of creativity and artificial intelligence. While Cohen's legacy lives on through Aaron's works, his influence continues to inspire a new generation of artists and researchers in search of new forms of expression.

The “Harold Cohen: Aaron” exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art offers a fascinating journey through the intersection of art and technology, revealing the lasting impact of a visionary who challenged the boundaries of creativity. As artificial intelligence continues to shape our world, Harold Cohen's legacy remains a powerful reminder of the power of innovation and human imagination.