Week 3 Blog: Speculative Curatorial Project & Group Collaboration

Individual Speculative Project Idea

This week, we explored speculative curatorial projects, using content from the Open Toolkit and focusing on conceptual development. My project investigates AI-generated art as a speculative, immersive experience, utilizing machine learning algorithms to process real-time urban, environmental, and museum archival data. The project seeks to explore how data diversity can enhance artistic expression, incorporating social media data to create a more interactive and dynamic experience.

Keywords: AI-generated art, immersive experience, data diversity

Format: Media art/interactive experience

Next Steps: Further research on social media data integration, and finding different AI-driven visualization techniques.

Group Collaboration & Reflection

Working in a group with peers from diverse academic backgrounds has been both enriching and challenging. Each member brings unique perspectives, which broadens our understanding of curatorial methodologies. The brainstorming sessions allowed us to refine our ideas by questioning each other’s assumptions and approaches.

What I gained from my peers:

New perspectives on how AI can be framed within speculative curatorial practice
Suggestions on how to integrate archival research with contemporary digital methods
Encouragement to push the boundaries of interactivity in my project

What I contributed:

Learn about the ideas of one of my fellow students who wanted to incorporate local Scottish culture as well as artists. I then introduced her to a similar artists’ organisation in Shanghai, China called Shanghai Style Artists.

Recommend relevant exhibitions and internet resources to my classmates.
Make suggestions for group members’ ideas and help her refine her own conception.

Reading Reflections

In preparation for class, I read two key texts:

“Walking/Working through Fran Cottell’s House” by Katy Deepwell (2021): This reading contextualized Cottell’s work within installation art, emphasizing how space and domesticity influence audience experience.
“Curator as Artist as Curator” by Joseph Doubtfire & Giulia Ranchetti (2015): This text explored the evolving role of artist-curators and their methodologies. One key takeaway was the idea that curators can engage in artistic practices themselves, blurring traditional boundaries.

For independent research, I looked into contemporary artist-curators such as Hito Steyerl, who integrates digital technology and critical theory in her curatorial approach. Her work aligns with my interest in AI and immersive environments.

Moving Forward

For the next stage of my speculative curatorial project, I will:

Refine the conceptual framework by integrating curatorial theories on technology and audience engagement
Gather feedback from my peers to ensure the project remains engaging and thought-provoking

This week’s discussions have been instrumental in refining my ideas, and I look forward to further experimentation in the coming weeks.