Alex Markwith, Mortality I, 2023, acrylic, spray paint, graphite, chalk, tape, paper and inkjet prints of AI-generated images mounted to canvas, 117x89cm
Confluence:
Synthetic Visions
TEOKSEN TAKANA / BEHIND THE WORK
Alex Markwith and Jori Grym will be present to answer and discuss the exhibition.
Sunday 30.7
14:00-16:00
Exhibition on view 12-30 July
Galleria Uusi Kipinä
Kymintie 1, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Alex Markwith, Strategy and Mortality I, 2023, acrylic, spray paint, graphite, chalk, paper, wood and inkjet prints of AI-generated images mounted to canvas, diptych (two panels), total dimensions 100x162cm
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Welcome to "Confluence: Synthetic Visions," a unique and thought-provoking exhibition exploring the intersection of traditional painting, digital art, and artificial intelligence, presenting a compelling fusion of past, present, and future artistic modalities.
“Confluence” showcases mixed media works by Alex Markwith, many of which incorporate groundbreaking AI-generated images produced in collaboration with the visionary Jori Grym. Their work together is a dialogue between the tangible and the virtual, the human and the machine, the classical and the contemporary.
Subjects range from starkly evocative skulls and chess pieces to a reinterpretation of the neo-classical masterpiece, "The Death of Socrates." Each piece is a testament to the artists' ability to blend disparate elements into a cohesive and captivating whole.
Markwith's abstract expressionist roots are evident in the bold strokes and vibrant colors that dominate the canvas. His paintings are a visual symphony, a riot of color and form that draws the viewer into a world of emotion and sensation. His use of skulls and chess pieces, symbols of mortality and strategy, adds a layer of depth and introspection to the works.
Grym, a pioneer in AI-generated art, has employed complex algorithms and machine learning to created AI-generated images are based on Markwith’s existing paintings. Providing a glimpse into the future of art, they are a testament to the potential of technology as a tool for artistic expression. Markwith has complicated the process further by printing the digital images and using them as raw collage material in his physical practice.
The influence of popular culture and street art is also evident throughout the exhibition. Graffiti-like elements, pop art motifs, and urban aesthetics infuse the works with a sense of immediacy and relevance. This fusion of high art and street culture creates a dynamic tension that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
"Confluence" is more than just an exhibition; it is a journey through the evolution of art. It invites viewers to question the boundaries of artistic expression and to explore the possibilities that emerge when tradition meets innovation. We invite you to immerse yourself in this extraordinary collection and to experience the transformative power of art.
All parts of this project including the exhibition text have been produced using human-AI interaction.
Exhibition supported by Helsingin Saskia
Opening reception Tuesday 11 July 18-20:00
Alex Markwith, The Death of Socrates, 2023, acrylic, spray paint, chalk, graphite, marker and paper on canvas, 150x150cm
Alex Markwith, Anarchist (Strategy and Mortality), 2023, acrylic, spray paint, paper and inkjet prints of AI-generated images mounted to canvas, 30x30cm
Alex Markwith, Strategy I, 2023, acrylic, spray paint, paper and inkjet print of AI-generated image mounted to board, 60x60cm
ABOUT ALEX MARKWITH
Alex Markwith is a Helsinki-based visual artist known for his mixed media paintings and sculptures. Merging abstraction, collage and street art influences, Markwith’s current body of work hybridizes his physical, process-oriented approach with digital tools imagery.
Previously based in New York City, Markwith has participated in more than fifty exhibitions worldwide, including solo shows in New York, Houston, Paris and Helsinki. Recent projects include a Copenhagen residency as part of ARTIVAL: Re-Connect and participation in NordArt 2023, Europe’s largest juried exhibition of contemporary art held annually in Büdelsdorf, Germany.
Born 1988, Kinston, PA (USA), Markwith earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design (Painting, 2011) and completed the school’s European Honors Program in Rome, Italy. Markwith has received grants from the City of Helsinki and the Arts Promotion Center of Finland (Taike) and is a member of Taidemaalariliitto and Helsinki Artists’ Association. His work is held in numerous private collections and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
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ABOUT JORI GRYM
Jori Grym is a distinguished strategist and researcher, whose expertise lies at the intersection of behavior, economics, and technology. As a behavioral strategist at the Finnish Tax Administration and a researcher of behaviorale economics and experimental philosophy at the Hanken School of Economics, Grym has dedicated his career to unraveling the complex dynamics of human decision-making and judgment.
Grym is no stranger to the public sphere; his insights are frequently sought after, with appearances on the Finnish morning TV science program, "Jälkikaronkka," and numerous public lectures under his belt.
Grym’s ongoing exploration of AI-generated images is his first venture into the realm of contemporary art, produced in collaboration with visual artist Alex Markwith. Drawing upon his deep knowledge of new technologies, including AI tools and cryptocurrencies, Grym seeks to examine the influence of these technologies on human perception and judgment, pushing the boundaries of both art and science.