Today’s post was written by Siena Andrews, a senior at Loyola Marymount University majoring in African American studies, with a minor in journalism. Siena works on the outreach and engagement team at William H. Hannon Library.
The William H. Hannon Library currently hosts an exhibition that pushes the boundaries between traditional artistry and artificial intelligence. “Beyond the Brush” presents the innovative work of professor Anna Atefeh Farzindar, transforming the space into a laboratory where watercolors meet machine learning. The exhibition, running through Mar. 31, 2025, offers visitors a glimpse into the future of artistic creation.
Stepping into the gallery space, I’m immediately struck by the juxtaposition of traditional watercolor paintings alongside their AI-generated interpretations. Farzindar, who serves as a clinical professor in LMU’s Department of Computer Science, masterfully bridges two seemingly distant worlds. Her original watercolors serve as starting points, feeding into AI systems that generate new interpretations, creating an fascinating dialogue between human intent and computational creativity.
The technical sophistication behind these works stems from Farzindar’s unique background. Her 25-year journey as a painter, enriched by studies at the School of Fine Arts of Versailles and the Ateliers Beaux-Arts de Paris, combines with her academic expertise in computer science. This dual perspective – holding both a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Montreal and a doctorate in natural language processing from Paris-Sorbonne University – allows her to navigate the complex intersection of artistic expression and technological innovation.
Throughout the exhibition, viewers encounter pieces that tackle fundamental questions about AI-generated art. The works openly address the technology’s current limitations – its tendency to hallucinate details, its struggles with truthful representation, and its inherent biases. Yet rather than seeing these as mere technical hurdles, Farzindar transforms them into opportunities for artistic exploration and social commentary.
Her recognition with the Femmessor-Montreal award speaks to her success in maintaining this delicate balance between technology and artistry. Previous works, featured in her book “One Thousand and One Nights,” showcase her foundation in traditional painting techniques, making her current exploration of AI-assisted creation particularly meaningful.
The exhibition transforms the library space into a forum for crucial conversations about creativity in the digital age. Each piece prompts us to question our assumptions about artistic authenticity, the role of technology in creative expression, and the future of human-machine collaboration in the arts.
“Beyond the Brush” does more than showcase artwork – it opens a window into the evolving relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence, challenging us to reimagine the possibilities of artistic expression in our increasingly digital world.
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