Smell the Roses is a contemplative video art installation that delves into our comprehension of biological processes through the lens of computer rendering and artificial intelligence. This piece invites participants to step away from their daily routines and engage in a meditative exploration of their personal thoughts and emotions. Additionally, Smell the Roses examines contemporary ethical discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, offering a novel approach to incorporating this technology into artistic practice. The project is currently being submitted to various exhibitions and grant opportunities to explore potential avenues for expansion.
Artist Statement:
About a year ago I got the call- my older brother was unconscious, bleeding from his brain, and I needed to find my own way down to Georgia to see him. For the next month I spent everyday in the hospital with him alone in silence for hours, not knowing when or if he was going to wake up. When or if he was going to be okay. When or if he would be the same. This period of my life was full of so much uncertainty and complete lack of control.
During this, I found peace by hiking all around Georgia in solitude. By looking at the fractalized patterns found in nature, it gave me a sense of familiarity as I remembered the childhood trails my brother and I would hike on. I remembered other loved ones that I’ve hiked with and the intimate conversations we had. I remembered the support group that I had gained throughout my adventures in nature.
Made Using: ProGamerGov’s Neural Style Transfer code, Mandelbulber, EbSynth & Premiere Pro
Later on in the year, as my brother got better physically, I was still processing the trauma that happened. It was now winter, and my darker childhood memories began to resurface. Memories of my family abandoning me all throughout my life, especially on holidays. Memories of my brothers beating me up as a teenager. Memories of the fears of abandonment I had during my childhood slowly crept back into my life again. These fears began to consume me, and I started to feel lost and confused. During these intense emotions, I found myself craving for that same sense of familiarity and support again.
Because of how dead everything is here in Indiana during the winter, I went on to explore the vast worlds of 3D fractals. I fell in love with this particular fractal as it reminded me of a field of flowers, while giving me a sense of comfort to explore it along with my emotions. By using artificial intelligence and a single picture of flowers, I’m able to quickly create a captivating landscape of a never-ending blooming field of flowers. In the end, this creates a meditative video piece that brings me the same sense of familiarity and support that I desperately craved and helped me process my trauma.
Smell the Roses is a meditative video art piece that allows participants take a break from the everyday grind to lay down, meditate, and explore their own personal thoughts and feelings. Smell the Roses also takes a look at the current conversations surrounding the ethics of artificial intelligence and explores a unique way to integrate the technology into an art piece.
Public Engagement:
With the exhibition just two months away, I took the initiative to design and produce custom postcards to invite select individuals to the reception. Utilizing Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, I crafted these postcards and arranged for their printing and lamination to enhance their durability and likelihood of being retained. Additionally, these postcards were displayed in the exhibition space, allowing visitors to easily collect them.
B.F.A Thesis Exhibition Show Photos:
SMELL THE ROSES EXHIBITIONS
Big Art Show 2023 → The Art Department → Paisley, United Kingdom 2023
a rose is a rose is a rose → Accrete Art Collective → Bloomington, Indiana 2023
ART meets SCIENCE → Ceinnov Lab (Chimaera Gallery) → Baltimore, Maryland 2023
AI: The Next Evolution → Online Gallery → Chimaera Gallery 2023
When All Dreams Come True → Provocation Ideas Festival → Toronto, Canada 2023
B.F.A Thesis Exhibition Show → Grunwald Gallery → Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 2023