Tarsila do Amaral's Legacy and AI: Curator Opts for Human Voice in 'O Brasil de Tarsila'
During the Hacktudo 2026 festival, a panel at HackConference delved into the impact of emerging technologies, especially AI, on the creation of art and the portrayal of historical figures. The conversation focused on how to differentiate modern interpretations from established historical accounts. For example, a display might showcase a virtual rendition of Tarsila do Amaral discussing her artwork, even though such a recording never existed. The curators of 'O Brasil de Tarsila,' which includes Tarsila's great-niece, chose not to utilize AI for voice simulation, opting instead to narrate her great-aunt's story in her own words. This decision underscores the significance of faithfully representing an artist's heritage and the risks of misrepresenting narratives in a time of advanced reproduction technologies.
Key facts
- The discussion took place at Hacktudo 2026, a festival dedicated to digital culture and innovation, during HackConference.
- The central question is the responsibility of using AI to represent historical figures and works.
- An example given is a hypothetical recording of Tarsila do Amaral commenting on her paintings, which she never made.
- In the exhibition 'O Brasil de Tarsila,' curated by the author and Juliana Miraldi, the room 'Roteiros de Viagem' uses a narrative from letters, documents, and historical accounts.
- The curators chose not to use AI to simulate Tarsila's voice, despite existing sound recordings of her.
- Instead, the curator, Tarsila's great-niece, provides her own voice for the narrative.
- The concern is that AI recreations could be mistaken for authentic historical records, especially as technology becomes more convincing.
- The author emphasizes the responsibility in managing an artist's legacy, including how their story is told and image used.
Entities
Artists
- Tarsila do Amaral
- Juliana Miraldi
Institutions
- Hacktudo
- HackConference
- ArteRef
Locations
- Brazil
Sources
- Arteref —