Alexander Kvares’ exhibition “I’m Hugging You With Long Flowing Eyes” at ada gallery on Broad Street has been generating conversations in Richmond art circles this month. While there have been other shows in the city discussing AI art, this is the first one from an established artist at a respected gallery in the area.
ada gallery‘s owner and curator John Pollard has been bringing challenging and cutting-edge art to the city for more than two decades, and this exhibit is his latest contribution. Regarding the subject of AI Art, Pollard sees it as just another tool for artists to utilize. He says, “Samplers didn’t kill the musician. Some artists will use these AI tools as inspiration, some will ignore it, and some artists if they’re a one-trick pony, AI might make them work harder.”
We asked Pollard a few more questions.
Do you believe that AI art qualifies as genuine art?
Well, I do believe so. Art is a considerably broad concept.
Do you think that there is a market for AI art?
To be honest, I rarely think about the market. I just showcase what interests me and hope that I’m not alone. Nonetheless, we do have a collector in LA who is interested, so who knows?
As the first gallery in Richmond, VA to display and sell AI generative art, do you think this marks the start of a new era in art?
I’m not sure, but there’s no going back now. We will likely see more of it, but I know it won’t eliminate painting. Art will continue to be created using various media all the time, so AI is just another tool or medium.
Alexander Kvares, who is recognized for his intricate line drawings, is now experimenting with the possibilities of AI. By using a series of verbal descriptions, he has blended his eerie, uncanny style with the capabilities of artificial intelligence. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Kvares has been residing in the United States since 1990. He earned his BFA from the University of Kansas in Lawrence and his MFA from the University of Texas in Austin. His work has been exhibited in galleries across the United States and Europe.
We had a few questions for Kvares too.
How has the response been to this new work?
Since this work is still very new, I haven’t received enough feedback to make a conclusive summary. Overall, the response has been positive, with only a few negative comments, such as “AI is the death of all art.” The process is still new and polarizing but once people get pass the AI-ness of it, and look at the images as just that, images, it is not dissimilar to my other work.
You have been a traditional artist for a long time, what attracted you to using AI tools?
My initial attraction to using AI tools was sparked by curiosity and coincidence. After my daughter was born last year, I found myself with more free time to explore the explosion of AI art that was emerging. While most of the work I saw tried to imitate pop culture artifacts, I was drawn to the few standout artists who developed their own unique style and vocabulary, and seemed to be interested in exploring and evolving the medium.
Is this the future of art?
No, I don’t believe it is the future of art. Instead, AI is simply another useful tool available to artists.
Is AI art stealing from artists?
No, AI art is not stealing from artists any more than collage, photography, or sampling in music. I believe this issue has already been settled by artists such as Christian Marclay and Sherry Levine.
What is the idea behind this collection of works?
In most straight forward way, this is an exploration of narrative as byproduct of infinite visual culture, perpetually surfing the edge between death and desire.
On a more personal level, I really enjoy the excitement of playing around with subtle, incremental shifts in language as means of eliciting images from a giant, mysterious, algorithmic roulette wheel. It is amazing how much difference one word or even placement of words can make.
It has been an oddly satisfying way of working, it has the immediacy and intuitive/reactive quality of drawing (which I love) combined with the rush of the chase akin to street photography or panning for gold.
ALEXANDER KVARES
“I’m Hugging You With Long Flowing Eyes” exhibiting now at ada gallery
Current gallery hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 1 to 4pm
More information can be found at adagallery.com
For more on the artist can be found at alexkvares.com
Follow Alex Kvares on instagram HERE
Alex Kvares
Fashion, Last Stage, 2023
C-print on archival paper
10h x 10w in
Alex Kvares
Squeaky Travels, 2023
C-print on archival paper
Alex Kvares
Meanwhile, 2023
C-print on archival paper
10h x 10w in
Alex Kvares
Provincial Romances 6, 2023
C-print on archival paper
10h x 10w in
Alex Kvares
Looking Forward, 2023
C-print on archival paper
10h x 10w in
Alex Kvares
Higher Learning, 2023
C-print on archival paper
10h x 10w in
Alex Kvares
Testoblerone 1, 2023
C-print on archival paper
10h x 10w in
Alex Kvares
How Will I Retire, 2023
C-print on archival paper
10h x 10w in
Alex Kvares
Long Finger Connection, 2023
C-print on archival paper
10h x 10w in
Alex Kvares
That One Selfie, 2023
C-print on archival paper
