We are pleased to extend to you an invitation to the ViLD Annual Conference.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has found its way into aesthetic practices within the realms of visual studies and education. We would be delighted to share our experiences and thoughts on how generative art is reshaping notions of aesthetics as a practice for meaning making. Additionally, we would like to discuss how platforms such as Midjourney and Dall-E-2 are expanding the possibilities for everyone to harness AI in aesthetic practices.

The primary objective of the conference is to foster an exploration of AI within visual studies and education, especially considering the recent technical evolvement, through a curious and critical lens. Our aim is to provide a platform for vibrant discussions and knowledge exchange among professionals and researchers who share a mutual interest in uncovering the potential of visual practices in the realm of knowledge generation.

Programme

 

9.00–9.30: Arrival and coffee

9.30–9.35: Welcome

9.35–9.45: Introductory speak to ARTificial - Aesthetic practices in and through AI in visual studies and education, Mie Buhl    

9.45-10.30: Keynote: AI in contemporary art, Mette-Marie Zacher Sørensen, Centre for Aesthetics of AI Images, Aarhus University

10.15–10.30. Coffee break

10.30–12.00: Workshops part 1

12.00–13.00: Lunch

13.00–14.30 Workshops part 2

14.30–14.45: Coffee break

14.45–15.30: Panel discussion

15.30–15.55: How to be ViLD

15.55-16.00: See you next year!

After event:

16.00–17.00: Networking

Fee

Fee (before November 1st): 500,00 DKK (Coffee and lunch included)

This year's workshops:

Workshop 1: Algoritmic art in visual arts education – reports from a project, Thilde Møller, Pernille Lomholt PH Absalon   

In the workshop, we will unfold the project with a special focus on the interdisciplinary perspective that characterizes the project: Competency-based interdisciplinary collaboration on a didactic common third in the subjects of visual arts, mathematics, and technology comprehension.

During the workshop, we will explore algorithmic art in an analog version, where we will work with possibilities and perspectives related to using materials and physical elements that transition into digital treatments. 

Finally, we will invite you to a sneak peek into the Processing program, which is the program students in the project will be working with.

It's important that you bring PCs to this workshop in order to try out the program.

Workshop 2:  Hybrid learning in aesthetic practices in higher education, Mie Buhl, Heidi Hautopp, Aalborg University

The workshop invites you to visit our hybrid learning space that facilitates a unique collaboration between Aalborg University, Campus Copenhagen and Aalto university Campus Espoo, Helsinki. We will talk about our experiences from using this learning format for our new Nordic Master in Visual studies and Art Education (NM NoVA).

During the workshop you will also be invited to meet students from the programme from both Campi and be presented to at some of our projects.

Workshop 3: Computational interferences in creative aesthetic work, Jesper Juellund Jensen, UC Copenhagen

The workshop invites you to explore how computational interferences can foster and fruitfully “mess with” creative processes in aesthetic subjects in school and in teacher education.

Specifically, we’ll investigate generative algorithms, and we will present examples of algorithms and resulting works by teacher students. We draw on a model of characteristics of constraints, dogmas, playing rules, obstructions and the like developed by the presenter and Signe Adrian.

Finally, we encourage the participants to experiment with algorithms in Python or Javascript. In a more theoretical sense, the workshop invites participants to reflect on whether human creativity is also (has always been) a form of human-machine creativity where changing technologies interfere with the aesthetic expressions of humans.

Workshop 4:  Poisoning the AI, Juuso Tervo, Aalto University

In this workshop, we discuss normativity in AI generated imagery and explore what kind of conventions and expectations artificial image-generation entails. During the workshop we create small prompts to poison the code and disrupt normative images and imaginations.

The meeting is easily accessed by car, bus, or train.

The nearest train station is 'Sydhavn' which is connected to Copenhagen Central Station. There are approximately 10 minutes from Sydhavn st. to Aalborg University Copenhagen on foot.