Munich/Basel. On the occasion of Art Basel in Basel
2023, BMW proudly presents “The Electric AI Canvas” an extension of
the entirely virtual work “The Ultimate AI Masterpiece”.
Now, for the very first time, released as an awe-inspiring physical
art experience that transforms the 100% electric BMW i5 into a dynamic
canvas of distinct generative art and featuring works by contemporary
artists Esther Mahlangu, Kohei Nawa,
Eric N. Mack, Koo Jiyoon and
Bin Woo Hyuk. “The Electric AI Canvas” will be
exhibited from June 12 to 18, 2023, at Art Basel in Basel, the world’s
premier art show for Modern and contemporary art. Additionally, as a
global partner of the Art Basel shows, BMW will once again provide the
VIP car service.
In collaboration with creative technologist Nathan
Shipley (Goodby, Silverstein & Partners) and Gary
Yeh (ArtDrunk), custom artificial intelligence-generated
animations are crafted using AI models trained on a curated dataset of
works from renowned contemporary artists. These AI models are built
upon a foundational model trained from over 50,000 images spanning 900
years of art history. The AI generates entirely new abstract
animations based on learned styles from classical and contemporary
art, which are then projected onto the BMW i5.
“BMW has been at the forefront of innovative technology and design to
create cutting-edge automobiles. With ‘The Electric AI Canvas,’
virtual and physical worlds collide, and the connection between human
senses and artificial intelligence as a tool to create new artworks
can be experienced,” says Paul de Courtois, President
& CEO BMW (Switzerland) inc.
According to Gary Yeh, “This is an exciting
moment to build on our previous art and AI collaboration, which we had
always envisioned activating in person. Realizing this collaboration’s
full potential will create a unique opportunity for art fair visitors
to experience digital art, a medium that can often feel disconnected
from the physical world. At the forefront of contemporary art, the
artists that we’ve brought together bring a variety of global
perspectives and share in their unique explorations of materials and
culture. As the animations evolve in front of your eyes, we hope to
take you on a journey through their worlds and how they represent the
fabric of our society. Past, present, and future.”
For “The Electric AI Canvas”, Nvidia’s AI architecture StyleGAN is
trained to evoke various artistic styles and then generate abstract
evolving animations. After training a base model to represent art in
general, StyleGAN is further trained on works from the participating
contemporary artists. “We wanted to explore what happens when an AI
image-generation model encounters works by specific artists; how do
the results change when different parameters of the algorithm are
modified and how can we use that to create animations that evoke the
essential feeling of a particular artist’s work,” asks Nathan
Shipley. “We see experiments like this as part of a
fascinating early conversation about ways that AI can be used in art-making.”
These newly created animations are now showcased for the first time
as an on-site art experience employing projection-mapping onto the BMW
i5 and shifting through each artist’s distinctive style and aesthetic.
The animations are amplified and reflected by mirrors, immersing
viewers within the experience.
Since the digital debut in 2020, AI in art-making has stirred
controversy, raising questions about ethics, creativity and
authenticity. Shipley and Yeh approach the use of AI for art by
focusing on how the technology can support artists and amplify their
artistic visions, rather than to replace them. “It is essential that
our experiments with AI for art are done in a responsible, thoughtful,
and human-first way,” says Shipley.
This human-machine art installation brings forth a distinct
convergence of innovation and creativity. It continues BMW’s
engagement in crucial dialogues about technology and art in the AI
era. Beyond visual artistry, the Electric AI Canvas stands as a
testament to BMW’s dedication to human-centred technology and
sustainability, exploring the potential of AI as a creative tool.
The new BMW
5 Series – the world´s most successful business sedan
– is digital, dynamic and now, with the BMW i5, also fully electric.
In the BMW 5 Series come together sporty elegance, comfort and premium
connectivity. Like no other model, THE 5 stands for confidence,
competence and a progressive mindset.
For its 2023 edition in Basel, Art Basel will bring
together 284 leading international galleries to present the highest
quality artworks across all media – from painting and sculpture to
photography and digital works – by artists ranging from
early-twentieth-century Modern pioneers to contemporary practitioners.
A strong line-up of galleries from across Europe will be joined by new
and returning exhibitors from around the world.
BMW i5 eDrive40*:
Power consumption combined in WLTP cycle: 18.9 – 15.9 kWh/100 km
Electric range in WLTP cycle: 497 – 582 km
BMW i5 M60 xDrive*:
Power consumption combined in WLTP cycle: 20.6 – 18.2 kWh/100 km
Electric range in WLTP cycle: 455 – 516 km
*All figures are preliminary values.
