A short talk about an artwork based on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Made in March 2022: an annotated transcript is below. Made in Singapore!
Mark Chavez presents “Guadalupe.” It is a seminal artwork synthesized by fusion of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These techniques were recently introduced to the global artistic milieu. This piece embarks on a post-modern exploration. It repurposed the 16th-century work created under the influence of the Jacobean priesthood. Initially, the work was intended to manipulate fiscal flows from Spain to Mexico. This historical context is not merely referenced but is intricately woven into the fabric of the artwork through AI-driven reinterpretation.
This work appropriates the original “Guadalupe” as a foundational canvas. Various cultural narratives and symbols are mapped onto this canvas. These mappings create a complex tapestry of historical and contemporary dialogues. The process uses “seeds” to generate images. From these images, a curated set evolves into a dynamic visual narrative. This narrative spans over 4,000 frames and culminates in an hour-long visual symphony. Chavez’s longstanding experience with computer animation since 1980 enriches this process, blending traditional techniques with cutting-edge generative art.
The resulting artwork is a visual paradox, revealing and concealing its myriad facets. From one vantage point, the iconic silhouette of the Guadalupe image emerges. Subliminal elements intertwine, acting as symbols of Mexican cultural identity. There are also motifs of pop Latino surrealism. Yet, this piece transcends visual representation, an articulation crafted from words, a linguistic alchemy transforming text into visual spectacles. These textual elements echo the Florentine Codex, embodying a poignant commentary on cultural erasure and preservation.
This artwork transcends its aesthetic dimensions, embodying a symbolic “war banner” reflective of historical revolutions and contemporary discourses within Mexico. It is a personal and collective manifesto, a pastiche of the ongoing cultural and political narratives shaping our existence.
“Guadalupe” explores pareidolia, where faces and forms appear in an abstract tapestry: revealing a subjective nature of perception and elusive boundary between reality and illusion. The work is a visual experience and a cognitive journey, challenging viewers to engage with the layers of meaning and interpretation.
This project serves as a precursor to an envisioned short film, which will further delve into the possibilities of AI in art. Alongside partner professor Ina Conradi at NTU Singapore, Chavez stands at the forefront of nurturing a new wave of AI artists in SE Asia, marking the advent of a transformative era in the art world.
