Acts of Data: Stones
In the Acts of Data: Stones project, I investigate the speculative nature of computers generating—via Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)—new potential historical artefacts created through image synthesis of pre-existing publicly available datasets of 3D models. Within this framework, I used the dataset provided by the “Scan the World” initiative, a repository that hosts scanned 3D models of historical statues from some of the world’s most prominent museums. The dataset was then used to train custom-designed computer models, which can now independently generate entirely new 3D sculptures.
With utilizing the rich resources of the “Scan the World” dataset, my project goes beyond the mere generation of 3D models. It critically examines the historical bias inherent in archiving and presenting artistic works. This endeavor aligns perfectly with the ethos of questioning and redefining museological approaches and practices. By utilizing the extensive collection of scanned historical objects, I explored how the algorithmic creations of the application reflect upon and potentially challenge the gender spectrum and cultural symbolisms embedded within these artifacts.
One of the focal points of my exploration within the ‘Stones’ project is to investigate the historical context of statues and sculptures, which have often been representative of societal norms, power dynamics, and cultural values. I am intrigued by the prospect of observing how the algorithm’s creations interact with these contexts and how they might challenge or reinforce prevailing narratives. By generating new forms that may not have existed in reality, I aim to provoke discussions on alternative histories and perspectives, encouraging viewers to contemplate the biases and assumptions that shape our understanding of art and history.
Within this framework, I processed two datasets of historical artifacts: one consisting of busts and the other of full-figured statues. Both datasets are accompanied by video works that contextualize the algorithmic creations, providing a narrative backdrop that explores the speculative nature of these digitally reimagined forms. The video installation is accompanied by a lengthy soundscape for which sounds were generated based on—an image-to-sound—spectrogram scanning of the UV (texture) masks of the generated statues.
By 3D printing a series of the generated statues both from the full-figured and busts dataset , I add an additional layer to the work, bringing the imagined digital forms from their virtual excavation site into physical reality. This transition from digital to tangible not only materializes the speculative artifacts but also challenges our perception of what is considered authentic or real in the context of art and history.
Acknowledgments:
AI and programming: Benjamin Fele | 3D animation: Luka Grčar
photo: Siniša Kanižaj
The first iteration of the Acts of Data: Stones project was premiered at the Speculum Artium Festival and was co-funded by the European Union Regional Development Fund, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and The Municipality Of Ljubljana