Stephanie Meisl and Gerald Geier emerged as winners in the “Spotlight your Idea” Open Call, a collaboration between the Vienna Business Agency and the Forward Festival. Their creative ideas dazzled an international audience. Gerald Geier presented “Remember the Future,” a visionary concept addressing climate change and the world’s potential state in 2073. Stephanie Meisl captivated with her fusion of art and AI, showcasing the thrilling blend of fear and excitement and the endless opportunities this creative marriage offers.

 
Remember the Future – Gerald Geier

 

For all magazine readers who couldn’t see you at the Festival in Vienna. Who are you and how did you come to work with Al?

I’m Gerald, and at my core I’m a designer focusing on sustainable innovation, design thinking, and storytelling. My journey began with a foundation in communication design, combined with speculative design and systems thinking approaches. Curious about merging different disciplines, I joined the Design Investigations department at Angewandte, where I got my first taste of experimenting with early image-generating AI. A bit later, Dall-E became a thing, and I was already hooked and started to explore more. So it basically went from there.

 

What inspired you to realize the project Remember the Future?

I have been interested in sustainability since I was a child and as a teenager, I started to dig deeper into climate and sustainability topics. In 2014, I joined my first climate protest and continued to raise awareness for this (literally) hot topic throughout my education and work as a designer. I felt pretty fed up by how the general status quo of non-imaginative thinking consistently fucks up our chances of our collective survival. Also, I realized that many people active in this cause, including myself, struggle with staying hopeful. But there are so many reasons for hope, so I made sparking excitement my mission for this project. I applied my creative thinking to challenge current narratives about the climate crisis and our future per se.

 

 

What were obstacles along the way (pre-production, production, post-production)?

Directing and producing a short film was a first. But luckily, I had some experience in acting and collaborating with friends to create short films during high school. That helped me a lot and made it possible to overcome the obstacles: No budget, an overwhelming topic, and hardly any clue about how to direct a film. The main issue was probably me trying to do too many things myself, but as soon as I accepted more and more help, it flowed. Limitations can be quite beneficial to find ways around them. I tried to treat them like challenges to overcome — and looking back, they were great opportunities for problem-solving and collaboration. It was only possible because many amazing people supported me, especially during production and post.

 

When it comes to climate change, do you think Al will play a significant role in helping solve the problem?

Honestly, I neither believe the hype that AI will solve everything for us, nor the opposite. The crucial thing with the climate crisis is that it’s a deadly, systemic, and long-term problem that we’re trying to solve with short-term fixes. Our current political, economic, and societal systems are not quite fit for overcoming this challenge of our lifetime.

We need to update our systems to see the bigger picture with every decision about to be made, on every level. And for that, I’m confident that AI can help a lot — collecting and analyzing data, optimizing resource flows, accelerating science, and communicating effectively. AI can and will assist us, but let’s not forget that climate science has been evident since the 1950s, and we had the first international climate conference in 1979, before the UNFCCC (UN Framework Convenction on Climate Change) COPs (Conference of the Parties) started in the nineties. We already have all the knowledge and technologies we need to stabilize our climate. What is lacking, is political action and honest leadership. Additional help certainly comes in handy, but the good news is we don’t rely on it. An important aspect to consider is the resource use of AI and its emissions. We need immense amounts of energy and water to keep these systems operating — but on the other hand, using AI can also save resources by optimizing production processes or cutting down on long transport routes.

 

 

In the context of climate change and Al, could you name specific Al technologies or tools used to visualize or simulate the future scenarios presented in the project?

The future scenario in my project is imaginative and based on scenarios that have been researched and published by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the UN scientific body to inform the UNFCCC conferences). I chose the 1.5° Mitigation Pathway, as it is the one that would stabilize the Earth’s climate — preventing a domino effect that would heat up the Earth beyond human control. Combining the IPCC pathway with extrapolations of geopolitical developments and the science of social change, I iteratively developed a narrative framework — asking myself how the world would look like at certain points in the future. I used ChatGPT to give me feedback on the consistency of the scenario and story. For translating these future narratives into visuals, I worked with Midjourney and Adobe Firefly (Photoshop Beta), while generating most of the music used in the film with AIVA.

 

What are your thoughts on machine learning and the amount of computing power required to train cutting-edge Al models?

Regarding that, I have two concerns: The first one is that AI infrastructure consumes a lot of energy because of the high-level computing power. That causes a significant climate impact if the electricity used is not renewable — and currently, too many data centers still run on fossil-powered plants since clean electricity is scarce on a global level.

The second one is biases and equity. The data used to train AI models is neither complete nor neutral, and that issue can lead to problems: Discrimination against People of Color, for example. Also, a lot of traditional or indigenous knowledge is left out. If you ask ChatGPT to name the ten most important philosophers, it only states European men, ignoring female and non-Western philosophers.

 

Since you asked the audience at Forward Vienna the same question. Who do you want to be in 10 – 30 years?

I just want to be a happy, genuine, and loving human being. And to live well, ideally, we will have brought our emissions down to limit global heating and started working on adapting to the consequences we cannot mitigate. That also means I want to be one of the lovely people who used their skills wisely and did everything necessary to make climate stability a reality. Looking forward to the Climate Neutrality Party in 2051 — we will have a lot to celebrate!

 

 

What made you apply for Spotlight your Idea! and how do you perceive the creative scene in Vienna?

Some of my friends already had the chance to present at the predecessor programme, and I’ve been encouraged to apply, which I was happy to do. Although I wasn’t sure if my project was “business” enough, I’m glad that the most important aspect is the idea itself. So, if you’re working on something exciting, please do apply — it’s a fantastic experience!

The creative community in Vienna is not the largest, but all the more supportive, in my view. It’s also very international! People are so open to help each other out, share their experience and learn from each other. Meetups and events like the Forward Festival are often the start of creative exchange, new friendships and collaborations — so thank you so much for that!

 
Schiele’s Ghost – Stephanie Meisl

 

For all magazine readers who couldn’t see you at the Festival in Vienna. Who are you and how did you come to work with Al?

I am Stephanie Meisl, and my journey in the creative and media arts industry spans over 20 years. I began in the digital age, immersing myself in technology from the get-go, starting with my father’s Commodore C64. My passion evolved from creating short videos to crafting live visual art using S-VHS tapes and analogue video mixers. In 2003, I became part of the “Schmiede – Playground of Ideas” media art festival, where I gained recognition as “C’QUENCE.”

My career expanded, leading to the establishment of a film production company and advertising agency, with collaborations from notable clients. I pursued further education, earning a Master of Arts in Communication Studies, which led me to explore online marketing and micro-targeting. The Cambridge Analytica scandal served as a turning point, prompting me to delve deeper into the impact of algorithms on our digital lives.

In 2019, I channeled my concerns into an immersive visual installation titled ‘Digital Terrorism 2.0 – F*** you, I won’t do what you tell me.’ This was my artistic response to digital manipulation, emphasizing the importance of digital autonomy. As an artist-in-residence, I dedicated my efforts to demystifying AI from an artist’s perspective, all with a commitment to understanding and addressing the impact of technology on our lives.

 
What made you apply for Spotlight your Idea? And how do you perceive the creative scene in Vienna?

To be honest, I came across the open call by chance. With years of involvement in Vienna’s dynamic creative landscape and my knowledge of the Forward Festival, I felt inspired to explore the possibilities in search of a response for my work. Vienna is a melting pot of remarkable creativity and innovative ideas. To be selected for the Spotlight alongside Gerald Geier was not only a validation, but an immense honour.

 

Can you tell us more about your virtual avatar S.Myselle? Who is she and what’s the story behind the avatar?

s.myselle is my digital alter ego, a representation of myself and my being in the digital universe. Over the years I’ve felt a strong pull towards the virtual world. A decade ago I experimented with Second Life, but the timing felt premature. As Facebook began to grow, we were collectively still figuring out the nuances of social media’s societal impact. The pandemic gave me a moment to explore. My curiosity led me to explore blockchain, NFTs and the innumerable digital phenomena that emerged prior to the eventual disruption. The fascination with digital avatars became clear and led me to experiment with AI-generated interpretations of my own persona, as well as exploring the interplay between identity and technology.

Moreover, my avatar is not just a digital doppelganger, but an embodiment of different aspects of my identity. With a background in film and working with actors, I find it exciting to direct my digital persona in different roles and test the reactions and sentiments of the community. This experimentation isn’t just a creative pursuit, but a
commentary on the inevitable. It’s clear that digital replicas of real people will infiltrate the virtual world, whether we embrace the phenomenon or resist it.

 

As an artist, what do you hope your audience takes away from your Al- infused work: and what emotions or ideas do you aim to convey through them?

Through my art, I seek to inspire dialogue around AI-generated creations. We are on the edge of an exciting era, confronting emerging technologies and the patterns they introduce. My approach to art is driven by curiosity, asking numerous questions throughout the creative process. Art, by its very nature, craves an audience – it seeks perception, discussion and even controversy. The legitimacy of my work as ‘art’ is not a single decision I can make; it’s a collective discourse. We, as a society, have to deliberate on its acceptance within the artistic discourse.

We stand on the doorstep of fascinating, yet challenging, times. The threatening specters of fake news and deep fakes threaten to distort our perceptions and beliefs. The quintessential conundrum then becomes how to distinguish reality from artificiality. How do we distinguish the authentic from the fabricated? Just before the Forward Festival, I produced a series of AI-images that, at first glance, could be considered traditional photographic works. And if we follow Daniel Kahneman’s Nobel Prize-winning principles of ‘thinking fast and slow’, art encourages us to pause, to question and to truly reflect. A closer look at these images reveals the anomalies produced by the algorithms, revealing a kind of digital approximation. This is essentially the nature of the art form’s alchemy. Such an immersive examination enables us to distinguish between genuine moments and those created by artificial methods.

Through my artistic work, I also produce cases that test the limits of technology. While we often romanticize new tools, imagining them as portals to limitless magic and potential, the reality is that every tool has its limitations. Many visions may remain unrealised due to a variety of factors, especially hardware limitations. But it’s these very limitations that demystify the technology, stripping away its intimidating aura. Once the magic has been dispelled, what remains is a powerful tool, ready for application in areas such as commercial projects.

 

Please tell us a little bit about the project Schiele’s Ghost.

“Schiele’s Ghost” is a project dear to my heart that began during the peak of the pandemic in 2020. It’s an exploration of machine learning and art. My initial inspiration came from a Jazz vs. AI improvisation session and discussions with AI developer Martin Gasser. We aimed to extract the essence of Austrian cinema using machine learning, but challenges arose due to the content of the film scripts we acquired.

We then conducted a scaled-down experiment, improving the machine’s capabilities over time. My fascination with Egon Schiele’s life and art led me to collect data for a Style-Gen model, facing challenges in differentiating genuine Schiele works from imitations. The legal landscape around AI-generated outputs allowed me to create “Schiele’s Ghost.”

 

 

I decided to limit the output to 10,000 pieces as a comment on NFT hype and distributed them as NFTs for free to challenge the notion that AI-generated art lacks emotion. People’s feedback and emotional connections to the images encouraged me to continue the project.

In 2023, I furthered the project by incorporating individuals into the artwork using Midjourney’s /blend technique. I also created variations mixing Schiele’s style with futuristic elements, bridging past and future. One series is “Heimo’s 150,” and another will be showcased at the XR-immersive event in November.

 

What are the learnings you wished you had gotten earlier when working with AI?

One of the most valuable takeaways has been the importance of insight. As we enter this brave new world, it’s important to approach innovation with both curiosity and caution. The attraction of the ‘new’ can sometimes lead to hasty decisions, as evidenced by the NFT debacle, where a combination of fear of missing out (FOMO) and greed led to its rapid rise and fall. However, setbacks like this pave the way for a more measured and sustainable integration of technology into our lives and businesses. The key is to move forward with both eyes open, understanding the risks and rewards, and being willing to adapt and learn from each experience.

 

What is the right way to go about working with Al or machine learning? Do you have any tips that are easy to use without a lot of background knowledge?

Dive in. To navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI, it’s important to stay up to date by following leading technology influencers, subscribing to relevant newsletters, and experimenting with different tools – but always with a keen eye on their terms and conditions. Platforms such as chatGPT, Nightcafe, Midjourney and RunwayML all function in their own way. Many tools now allow us to use text prompts, and the more you tinker with them, the clearer you become about their capabilities and limitations. Learning how to efficiently ‘brief’ these machines and provide them with precise prompts is an art we’re all still mastering. There’s no concrete playbook; it’s a journey of exploration with no definitive rights or wrongs. For example, I often use chatGPT to refine and enhance written content, such as this interview. This not only helps me streamline my process, but also allows me to focus on the essence of what I want to communicate, rather than getting bogged down in stylistic details.

This website might help to discover AI tools.

 

As your virtual exhibit opening is approaching, please tell us how you set up a virtual exhibition with Web 3!

In the world of emerging technology, finding the right balance is crucial. Virtual platforms need to be user-friendly and integrated like our familiar social media platforms, making it easier for artists and creators to focus on their content. Just as in the early days of the internet, we’re witnessing a transition in the VR and metaverse space. Centralized platforms are likely to become hubs for artists to showcase their work and attract audiences effectively.

At D#AVANTGARDE, we’re constantly exploring the best platform options for our exhibitions. Web3 and blockchain technology offer decentralized control over data and digital assets, ensuring a consistent and personalized experience across platforms. While we await more user-friendly interfaces, we’re experimenting with providers like Spatial and Anasea, aiming to simplify the exhibition process.

I’m excited about the upcoming showcase at “Immersive-X – The next reality conference” and the opportunity to engage with my art, “SCHIELE’S GHOST RELOADED – SOMMERFEST/KRAFTWERK.” These events provide a chance to interact with fellow artists, technology enthusiasts, and attendees, shaping the future of virtual exhibitions.

 

 

In what ways do you think Al and art will evolve and intertwine in the coming years?

AI in the arts will complement rather than replace human creativity. Just as graffiti and street art have their unique place in the art world, AI-based art will find its niche. AI tools, such as curated datasets and sophisticated algorithms, can streamline processes and open new creative avenues. AI-augmented tools will become integral in digital art, including curated art datasets and innovative machine learning models.

AI’s power lies in its ability to support artists in areas like marketing and the art business. It’s an ally for those willing to embrace it, but it will never overshadow human creativity. Our uniqueness as humans comes from our emotional depth, unique insights, and the ability to create art from our rich sensory experiences and memories. Fully emulating the human essence remains a monumental challenge.

 

What role do you see D#AVANTGARDE playing in shaping the future of art and technology, and how do you envision its impact on the artistic landscape?

In the world of emerging technology, finding the right balance is crucial. Virtual platforms need to be user-friendly and integrated like our familiar social media platforms, making it easier for artists and creators to focus on their content. Just as in the early days of the internet, we’re witnessing a transition in the VR and metaverse space. Centralized platforms are likely to become hubs for artists to showcase their work and attract audiences effectively.

At D#AVANTGARDE, we’re constantly exploring the best platform options for our exhibitions. Web3 and blockchain technology offer decentralized control over data and digital assets, ensuring a consistent and personalized experience across platforms. While we await more user-friendly interfaces, we’re experimenting with providers like Spatial and Anasea, aiming to simplify the exhibition process.

 

 

I’m excited about the upcoming showcase at “Immersive-X – The next reality conference” and the opportunity to engage with my art, “SCHIELE’S GHOST RELOADED – SOMMERFEST/KRAFTWERK.” These events provide a chance to interact with fellow artists, technology enthusiasts, and attendees, shaping the future of virtual exhibitions.

Get one free digital Schiele’s Ghost 10.000 as a NFT.

If you want to get a physical Fine Art Pigmentdruck auf Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta please get in touch with me

 
If you are interested in the offers of the Vienna Business Agency, including funding for creative companies, networking opportunities or free workshops to professionalise your business, please visit the website.

 

Photo Credits:
1-3 © Gerald Geier
4-7 © Stephanie Meisl