Before we get into this week’s stories, a quick note: This will be the last edition of The Intersect for a while. I’m taking a step back for a summer break, with plans to return in mid-July or early August. I hope these next few weeks offer all of us a little more space to look up, look around, and recharge away from screens.

In this edition, you’ll find reflections on music’s disappearing act in the streaming age, digital distractions in travel, and the thin line between empathy and art when it comes to AI. There’s also a look at minimalist design choices, “ghost” furniture, and the connections between ancient Egyptian art and our galaxy. Museums are opening doors again, and the future of architecture takes the stage at the Biennale. Even as the newsletter takes a break, I hope these stories continue to prompt questions about what we value when art and technology cross paths.

00:00 Introduction to Intersect Newsletter Issue 55

00:48 The Ephemeral Nature of Music Streaming

02:26 Digital Play as a Travel Companion

03:53 AI Art and Ethical Dilemmas

05:22 Disaugmented Reality and Minimalist Design

06:48 Ghost Collection Furniture: Art vs. Function

07:51 Ambitious Architecture at the Venice Biennale

09:08 Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Reopens

10:29 Ancient Egyptian Astronomy and Modern Connections

12:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/55 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

This week I’m stepping into territory I usually sidestep: politics. Several stories here touch on art’s uneasy relationship with power, public policy, and the ways culture gets shaped—or squeezed—by whoever holds the reins. I know this isn’t our usual beat, so if you’re here for cosmic illusions or the odd bit of digital nostalgia, don’t worry, there’s some of that too.

From city planning that treats creativity as essential infrastructure, to the slow erosion of public arts funding in the US, to the blurred lines between propaganda and art, I’ve tried to pick pieces that show just how tangled things get when politics enters the conversation. And if you’re wondering whether technology ever really escapes these forces, there’s plenty here to chew on about AI, public art maps, and what we see when we look up at the night sky.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/54 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

1. Urban cultural planning goes beyond metrics; true “creative wellness” in cities depends on policies that prioritize art, storytelling, and community memory over data-driven efficiency.
2. The ArtVenture project in South Lake Tahoe demonstrates how interactive public art maps can help residents and visitors engage with local creativity intentionally, not just by accident.
3. Astrophotography from advanced observatories often misleads the eye; space images can look dramatic or even supernatural, but they highlight how much we still misunderstand about the universe.
4. Gosha Rubchinskiy’s photo book “Victory Day” at the London Photo Festival re-packages military symbols associated with Russian aggression, sparking debate about the political responsibility of artists.
5. In contrast to Russian art’s recent nationalistic tone, American artists have typically used military and patriotic imagery to question authority, not glorify it.
6. Proposed elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) threatens the entire infrastructure supporting diverse, community-based creative projects in the United States.
7. The shift in arts funding from local, inclusive decision-making to centralized, top-down mandates risks turning public art into a tool for political branding rather than authentic expression.
8. Jörg Colberg’s critique of generative AI in photography argues that these systems flatten creative intent, recycling sanitized versions of the past instead of imagining new futures.
9. The National Ethnographic Museum’s exhibition in Sofia pairs Bulgarian myths about the cosmos with scientific perspectives, showing how folklore and astronomy have always intersected.
10. Tate Modern’s “Electric Dreams” exhibition reveals that artists have experimented with technology and digital concepts long before the internet, challenging the notion that art-tech fusion is a new phenomenon.

New perspectives on how technology shapes perception, from factory floor murals to revolutionary camera sensors. We explore the idea that art can enhance productivity and emotional well-being in industrial spaces. We also discuss how our perceptions of new technologies are shaped by our past experiences, as illustrated by an article on virtual realities. The conversation shifts to innovative approaches in photography and architecture, emphasizing the need for creativity in addressing modern challenges like climate change. Finally, we touch on a new VR painting app that merges real-world observation with digital creation, prompting reflection on the future of artistic expression.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/53 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• Art in industrial spaces can significantly enhance productivity and worker well-being.
• The perception of new digital technologies is deeply affected by our past experiences and cultural habits.
• AI advancements in photography raise questions about the definition of a 'real' image and its interpretation.
• The integration of architecture and climate change solutions is essential for creating sustainable urban environments.
• VR technology is transforming how we engage with art, blending real-world observation and digital creativity.
• The ongoing dialogue between art and technology continues to evolve, prompting new questions about artistic expression.

This marks a significant milestone, as it is issue 52, celebrating a full year of curated discussions. We delve into the complexities of the contemporary art world, examining how various subfields define art differently and what it means to create art outside established norms. We also discuss the fascinating blend of traditional and modern techniques, illustrated through the works of artists like Shamma Golden and their unique storytelling methods. As we navigate through different artistic expressions, we reflect on deeper questions about the role of technology in shaping our perception of art and its narrative today.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/52 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• Our curation over the past year highlights various aspects of contemporary art and its evolving relationship with technology.
• We discuss Lane Relaia's essay that categorizes contemporary art into five distinct areas, each with its own rules and definitions.
• The podcast raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of art and its purpose within the different subfields of the art world.
• We delve into Shamma Golden's artwork which combines personal memories and Sri Lankan folklore through her unique painting style.
• Discussion includes how AI can influence storytelling in visual art, prompting us to consider the human touch in artistic narratives.

This episode focuses on the shift from traditional craftsmanship towards a focus on meaning and strategy in design, prompting critical questions about creativity and education. We also examine various topics, including the impact of AI on artistic expression, architectural challenges in the face of climate change, and innovative installations showcased at Milan Design Week. Throughout our conversation, we aim to illuminate the intricate connections between innovation and creativity, reflecting how they shape our understanding of both art and technology.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/51 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• AI's role in design is shifting from execution to meaning, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and empathy in education.
• The relationship between artists and AI can evolve creatively, allowing artists to rediscover their unique voices through machine collaboration.
• Climate change discussions in architecture must shift from mere mitigation to adaptation, challenging traditional building practices.
• The role of designers in tech firms is evolving towards curation and strategic direction rather than pure technical execution.
• Art installations at events like Milan Design Week raise questions about the boundaries between art and commercial advertising, reflecting on artist compensation.

Today, we explore the urgency of understanding the data that permeates our daily lives, encouraging us to look beyond surface-level acceptance and ask deeper questions about the data we encounter. We touch on various topics, including the integration of AI in film and how it affects artistic merit, as well as how public art can enrich community narratives. Additionally, we examine the role of museums in utilizing technology to enhance cultural experiences. Juergen's insights challenge us to think critically about the implications of these intersections and how they shape our understanding of both art and society.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/50 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• The Data Fluencies exhibition series emphasizes the urgent need for art to enhance our understanding of data in today's society.
• We raise critical questions about the role of human creativity in the era of AI-generated content, particularly in film and art.
• Public art should be integrated into everyday life, as seen in Pasadena's new art walking tour, which highlights its significance beyond historical markers.
• The intersection of photography and AI challenges our understanding of historical records and the authenticity of visual memory.
• Jurgen's commentary on European museums shows how technology can enhance cultural experiences while considering funding and institutional support.
• The complex relationship between art, technology, and democracy prompts us to reflect on how we engage with public issues and civic duties.

In this episode, we discuss how art and technology intersect in various contexts, starting with a goth art festival on a decommissioned aircraft carrier and moving through topics like design education's evolution to embrace technology. The latest episode emphasizes the importance of blending creativity with systems thinking, allowing artists to shape change rather than just adapt to it. We also explore the complexities of AI's role in art, questioning its impact on authorship and the creative process. Lastly, we reflect on how discernment may emerge as a crucial skill in a world overwhelmed by information.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/49 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

• Goth artists are transforming a decommissioned aircraft carrier into a venue for art, music, and subcultural expression, challenging expectations about where creative communities can thrive.
• Istituto Marangoni’s Milano Design School has introduced programs focused on AI, robotics, and virtual reality, highlighting the shift toward integrating technology at every stage of design education.
• Salvador Dalí’s long-lost screenplay, “Giraffes on Horseback Salad,” is being interpreted using Google’s AI video platform, raising questions about authorship and the relationship between artist, technology, and legacy.
• French-Moroccan artist Hicham Berrada creates works by setting scientific processes in motion, letting chemistry and time shape the outcome, and prompting reflection on impermanence and materiality in art.
• NASA astronaut Don Pettit’s footage of green auroras from the International Space Station offers a new perspective on natural phenomena, blending scientific observation with artistic wonder.
• Adobe is introducing AI agents for Photoshop and Premiere Pro that can execute creative tasks based on natural language prompts, aiming to make technical processes more accessible without replacing creative judgment.
• The “Signal to Noise” exhibition at Melbourne’s National Communication Museum questions whether we are still in the information age or if information has become indistinguishable from noise, focusing on the challenges of clarity amid constant data.
• The issue ties together themes of subculture, the evolving role of technology in creative work, and the challenge of maintaining meaning in environments saturated by information.

This episode highlights how artistic visions often influence technological advancements, particularly in fields like space exploration and music. We discuss the interplay between artists and scientists, questioning whether our pursuit of innovation is merely an attempt to catch up to what artists have already imagined. Juergen's insights challenge us to think critically about the value of human creativity in a technology-driven world, especially in light of contemporary issues like fair compensation for musicians and the role of AI in art. As we navigate these discussions, we invite you to reflect on the evolving relationship between art and technology.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/48 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• We discuss the influence of science fiction writers on people's expectations of space exploration and travel.
• The conversation highlights the challenges musicians face with streaming platforms and the need for fair compensation in the digital age.
• We explore how AI is reshaping the art world, questioning its role as a medium rather than just a tool for artists.
• The episode emphasizes the importance of valuing human artistry in a landscape increasingly dominated by AI-generated content.
• Our insights provoke thought on whether corporate art initiatives genuinely express creativity or serve as marketing strategies.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Hacker Noon
• CMU
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• KQED
• demilked
• RomerProductions
• Je de Paume
• Trevor Paglen
• Hito Style
• Fast Company
• Google
• Lachlan Turdsan
• Ivy Ross

We explore various pieces, starting with a fascinating data visualization project at a children’s hospital that transforms live data into dynamic art. This installation aims to make vast data sets more relatable and human, prompting us to consider what other invisible systems could be visualized beautifully. We also delve into music education with Apple Music's new feature, which enriches the listening experience through synchronized commentary. The episode highlights the role of design in enhancing security, as seen in Switzerland's innovative passport. Each segment reflects our ongoing quest to understand how advancements in technology can influence and elevate artistic expression.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/47 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• We highlight how art and technology intersect through innovative projects like the Cortex Data Visualization at a children's hospital, transforming live data into human-readable art.
• The use of AI in music listening guides allows for deeper engagement with classical music, enhancing the experience for listeners by providing real-time context and commentary.
• A striking example of design and security is Switzerland's new passport, which combines aesthetic beauty with cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technology, exemplifying the fusion of art and functionality.
• The importance of art in documenting scientific progress is emphasized through Norman Rockwell's commissioned painting for NASA, showcasing how artistic interpretation can capture the human experience behind technology.
• Advancements in art restoration methods, such as using microwave reflectometry and infrared thermography, showcase the role of technology in preserving cultural heritage more effectively than traditional techniques.
• Swiss Passport design encourages exploring how everyday tools and bureaucratic documents can be designed with beauty and security in mind, prompting a re-evaluation of our interaction with these items.

This week's episode of "The Intersect" focuses on how artists are challenging and redefining their relationship with AI technology. We explore the distinction between artists who merely use AI and those who engage deeply with its underlying mechanisms. This critical examination reveals how true originality in AI art comes from understanding and interrogating the systems that generate it. We also discuss the implications of AI on photography, the evolving landscape of digital ownership, and the role of artists as societal commentators in response to pressing issues. Throughout the conversation, we emphasize the importance of recognizing how these interactions shape not only artistic expression but also broader societal values.

Find the latest episode at https://theintersect.art/issues/46 , and sign up for the newsletter at The Intersect of Tech and Art website

Takeaways:

• Artists who engage deeply with AI challenge the notion of creativity by interrogating the technology behind it.
• We highlight the need for a literacy regarding AI-generated images in the evolving landscape of photography.
• The intersection of ecology and technology in art raises questions about our past and future practices, as seen in Livia Rubicini's work.
• AI's ability to reflect societal values creates an ethical feedback loop that we must consider in our interactions with technology.
• Ongoing discussions about copyright and AI training data highlight significant implications for artists' rights and ownership.
• Digital art serves as a powerful medium for social commentary, especially in response to anti-trans legislation and broader societal challenges.