Date/Time
Date(s) - 16/05/2025 - 13/06/2025
4:00 pm
Location
Maison du Savoir, ground floor
Categories
The images evoke themes of collapse and natural disasters, reflecting the urgency of contemporary issues.
In the frame of the European Month of Photography (EMoP), this exhibition discusses how in an era of unprecedented AI development, the nature of photographic images is being transformed. AI-generated photorealistic images no longer require direct capture, challenging the traditional notion of photographic truth. The production of these images involves a complex supply chain of resources, energy, and advanced chips.
The video “Silicon Islands and War”, by artist Daphné Le Sergent, explores the history of photography in relation to the semiconductor industry, from early digital sensors to today’s AI-generated images. “Silicon Island” refers to Japan’s Kyushu industrial hub, known for producing competitive semiconductors. This technological race is deeply intertwined with geopolitical contexts, particularly the rivalry between China and the US in the Pacific region. Producing high-quality semiconductors in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan is a strategic assertion of power.
The narrative intertwines the evolution of images with the histories and conflicts of these countries. A Creole storyteller contrasts the impersonal voices of AI with oral memory tools like poetry and song, highlighting the cultural and geopolitical implications of technological advancements.
The project also compares the data cycle feeding AI tools to the water cycle, emphasizing the physical infrastructure supporting cyberspace. The increasing production, processing, and conservation of data are likened to a data deluge, with photorealistic images becoming economic commodities. The document raises questions about the financial speculation on information and the potential for an information market crash.
Exhibition duration
The exhibition will be on Belval Campus from 16.05.2025 to 13.06.2025. Join us for the opening event, which will include a guided tour and discussion about the exhibition.
A closing guided tour and discussion with the artist is planned for the 12.06.2025 from 12.00 to 14.00.