This week on The Intersect, we dive into fascinating stories where art and technology collide in unexpected ways. From SoundCloud's surprising 100% royalty policy to an artist who secretly installed AI art in a museum, we explore how creators are challenging traditional boundaries. Plus, discover the secret art that might be sitting on the Moon, why smartphone cameras still can't match dedicated cameras for zoom, and how pixel art thrives in our high-resolution world.

• 00:01:29 SoundCloud's Generous Shift
• 00:02:55 The Reverse Heist of Elias Morrow
• 00:06:55 Exploring Smartphone Camera Evolution
• 00:09:06 The Enduring Appeal of Pixel Art
• 00:10:39 Immersive Art Experiences Reimagined
• 00:12:02 Art in Space: The Moon Museum
• 00:14:10 The Met's New VR Experiences
• 00:15:45 Culture and Outrage in Media

Episode Highlights

• SoundCloud's 100% Royalty Play: Is the platform's decision to let artists keep all distribution royalties a genuine support move or a desperate bid for relevance against Spotify?
• The Reverse Art Heist: Artist Elias Marrow secretly placed his AI-generated "Empty Plate" in the National Museum Cardiff, where it went unnoticed for days. What does this say about art legitimacy and museum gatekeeping?
• Art on the Moon: The incredible story of how Andy Warhol and other famous artists may have secretly sent artwork to the Moon aboard Apollo 12, 55 years ago.
• The Smartphone Zoom Problem: Why even the latest iPhones can't match the versatility of a simple point-and-shoot camera when it comes to optical zoom.
• Pixel Art's Enduring Appeal: In an age of photorealistic graphics, why does the deliberate limitation of pixel art continue to captivate creators and audiences?
• d'strict's Immersive Innovation: How this Korean collective is using technology as an invitation rather than a distraction in their expanding Arte Museum network.
• The Met Goes Virtual: Are the Metropolitan Museum's new free VR experiences truly connecting people with art, or just adding tech for tech's sake?
• Manufacturing Cultural Outrage: How preemptive criticism of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance reveals the mechanics of manufactured cultural conflict.

Key Takeaways

Technology and artistic expression exist in a constant push-and-pull relationship, each driving the other forward. When technologists understand artistic principles, they build more human-centered products. When artists grasp technical tools, they expand their creative capabilities in remarkable ways. This week's stories demonstrate how this collaboration continues to challenge conventions and create new possibilities.

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For weekly analysis, case studies, and practitioner perspectives from where art and technology meet, subscribe to The Intersect newsletter at THE INTERSECT DOT ART. Join us as we explore the full spectrum of creative technology, from analog processes to digital fabrication, generative design to interactive installations.