Can AI Surpass Artists? A Philosophical Inquiry
Christian Caliandro questions whether AI can truly create art, referencing Vincent van Gogh's letters about the invisible iron wall between feeling and execution. He argues that AI cannot mine through this wall, yet much contemporary art—produced for museums, fairs, and auctions—already operates like AI, anticipating its processes. Caliandro invokes Philip K. Dick's concept of androidization, where humans become means to an end, losing authentic response. He observes this in contemporary society: people no longer listen but echo their own thoughts, strive to be popular, and conform even in apparent transgression. The essay suggests that AI's limitations mirror the commodified art world, and that android life forms are now ubiquitous.
Key facts
- Vincent van Gogh described drawing as working through an invisible iron wall between feeling and execution.
- Caliandro argues AI cannot mine through this wall.
- Much contemporary art from museums, fairs, mega-galleries, and auction houses anticipates AI's internal functioning.
- Philip K. Dick defined androidization as reducing humans to mere means for an external purpose.
- Dick's androidization involves predictable responses and loss of authentic freedom.
- Caliandro sees androidization everywhere: people no longer truly listen, strive to be popular, and conform even when transgressing.
- The essay is part of a series on Artribune.
- Christian Caliandro teaches art history at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Christian Caliandro
- Philip K. Dick
- Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Nick Cave
Institutions
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
- Guanda
- Adelphi
- Fanucci Editore
Locations
- L'Aja
- Milano
- Roma
- Firenze
- Italia