(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A new exhibit called “Ghost in The Machine” will be on display at Cottonwood Center for the Arts from July 5 to July 27, 2024.

The exhibit explores the importance of the human artist in a time when Artificial Intelligence (AI) can create digital illustrations at lightning speed with a simple prompt. Is there a distinct value in visual art created by people, as opposed to art created by AI? If so, what is it?

Typically, visual artists utilize AI to create or modify an image based on directives given in a prompt. For this experiment, the resident artists at Cottonwood Center for the Arts turned the tables and asked the AI to give them a prompt to follow instead.

To create the “Ghost in The Machine” exhibit, an AI (Google’s Gemini) was asked to give the artists a prompt that proves the need and value of the human artist in our culture. Gemini returned the following directive:

Create a piece of art that explores the physical manifestation of emotion. Instead of depicting a
person experiencing an emotion, focus on conveying the feeling itself through visual elements.

Cottonwood Center for the Arts is inviting everyone to come and enjoy the artists’ response to the AI’s prompt and also to check out Cottonwood’s other open studios and galleries.

The “Ghost in the Machine” exhibit will be on display throughout July, beginning with an opening reception on Friday, July 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cottonwood Center for the Arts is located at 427 E. Colorado Ave.