In this powerful episode of The Intersect, Chelsea and Georgia explore how the art we don't see—the banned, withdrawn, and refused—shapes our cultural narrative. From Amy Sherald's bold withdrawal of her entire exhibition to protect a single trans-affirming painting, to Comic-Con's dramatic 24-hour reversal on AI art policy, we examine the forces that determine what art reaches the public eye.

1. 00:00:45 Exploring Banned Art and Its Impact
2. 00:02:43 The Intersection of Art and Technology
3. 00:06:31 Juergen’s Personal Journey
4. 00:10:25 The Techno-Sublime and Its Significance
5. 00:12:08 The Power of Human-Centric Design
6. 00:13:41 Amy Sherald’s Bold Statement
7. 00:14:38 Cultural Reflections from Greenland
8. 00:16:24 Future Predictions for Art

Episode Highlights

1. African Weaving Meets Technology: Discover how traditional African weaving reveals its inherent computational logic through projects like Nosukaay and Woven in Wa, showing that technology is finally catching up to craft, not the other way around.
2. Amy Sherald's Stand: Learn why the acclaimed artist withdrew her entire "American Sublime" exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery rather than allow the removal of 'Trans Forming Liberty,' a powerful portrait reimagining the Statue of Liberty as a trans model.
3. Comic-Con's AI Art Ban: Explore the rapid policy reversal at San Diego Comic-Con, where artist backlash led to a complete prohibition on AI art within 24 hours, reflecting broader industry tensions about creative authenticity.
4. Juergen's Photography Evolution: Follow the personal journey from special effects photography in the 1980s to AI art today, illustrating how technological disruption repeatedly reshapes creative careers.
5. Greenland's TikTok Resistance: Examine how young Greenlanders use satirical "fentanyl fold" videos to critique American cultural imperialism, turning our own imagery into powerful political commentary.
6. Trevor Paglen's Techno Sublime: Understand how Paglen's two-decade project of photographing the invisible—from secret military bases to surveillance systems—reveals the blind spots in our technological age.
7. The Human-Centric Design Myth: Unpack how "human-centered" design often masks extraction-focused systems, creating what Juergen calls "experience greenwashing."
8. Hans Ulrich Obrist's 2026 Predictions: Consider the Serpentine Galleries director's vision for art's future, including AI as coordination tool, long-duration projects, and the surprising power of exhibitions that make strangers talk to each other.

Key Takeaways

This episode reveals how censorship and self-censorship shape not just what art we see, but how we understand our cultural moment. From institutional pressures on museums to artist-led resistance against AI replacement, the stories we explore show that the battle for creative autonomy is intensifying across all mediums.

About The Intersect

The Intersect provides nuanced analysis of where art and technology converge, going far beyond AI hype to explore the full spectrum of computational tools shaping creative work. We're committed to showing the good, the bad, and the unexpected in these relationships.

Connect With Us

For weekly insights and case studies on art and technology, subscribe to The Intersect newsletter at theintersect.art. Follow us on Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, and LinkedIn for ongoing exploration of creativity in the digital age.