Von Wolfe On Redefining Art in the Age of Machine Intelligence

Ahead of the London Frieze Art Fair, I spoke with one of the world’s most fascinating artists, Wolfe von Lenkiewicz , who for a number of years now has explored the intersection of art, technology, and artificial intelligence. As we sat in his studio in front of an oversized oil canvas and a sophisticated technology stack, Von Wolfe shared with me his unique approach to using machine learning and generative AI to create art. Our conversation delved into the history of art, from Renaissance masters to contemporary AI-powered creations, drawing parallels between traditional artistic methods and modern technological approaches. I was introduced to Von Wolfe through his longtime curator and art dealer, Virginia Damtsa, who has also appeared on this podcast.

This episode goes beyond the use of AI as a creative tool, and touches on philosophical questions about consciousness, creativity, and the nature of intelligence. Von Wolfe shares insights on how he trains AI models on his own artwork to create emergent properties and new artistic possibilities. The conversation also explores the potential of AI to uncover hidden historical artifacts and lost artworks by processing vast amounts of data from libraries and archives.

We also discuss the concept of authorship, the significance of patterns in nature and art, and the potential for AI to continue an artist's legacy beyond their lifetime. The conversation highlights the complex relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence, suggesting that the future of art may involve a collaborative process between artists and advanced AI systems. Listen to the episode now.