The Hedda Roman Duo: Where Art Meets the Wits of AI
Oh, musings of the contemporary artist! What a splendid time to be juggling the existential crises of our day while festooned in artistic garb. The Association of Friends and Supporters of ZiF eV, in a teaming-up so delightful it could only be akin to peanut butter and chocolate, recently collaborated with the Bielefeld Art Association to showcase the marvels of the Hedda Roman duo. Now, if you haven’t heard of Hedda Schattanik and Roman Szczesny, it’s time you crawled out from under that rock! These two are taking art into a realm that even the most dedicated tech nerd would raise an eyebrow to.
AI: A Partner or a Pest?
At the heart of their artistic vision is a playful, yet deeply serious interrogation of AI models. You see, folks, these two creatives don’t just dabble in the bits and bytes of technology—they dive in headfirst, snorkeling through the challenges posed by the blurry relationship between AI and genuine human experience. It’s like watching a new contestant on Britain’s Got Talent—you half-expect a standing ovation, but you’re also ready for a cringeworthy rendition of a pop song that should have never left the shower!
Our duo brings to the forefront how contemporary technologies are both the evils and angels of our time. Each brush stroke—or should I say keystroke?—critiques the ever-draconian rules of identity and truth. Just like you can’t define who I am based solely on my questionable haircut, they explore how our identities are shaped (and often warped) by the very technology that promises to set us free.
Defying the Norms
The tired, old trope of essentialism—where everything is black and white without the dizzying shades of grey—has got to go! Held hostage by the miseries of a binary perspective, the Hedda Roman duo brandishes their AI like a sword of nuance. They employ generative AI as a tool to poke holes in the profit-hungry structures that often dictate the terms of creativity. If Picasso were alive, he’d give them a standing ovation while rolling his eyes at the monotony of it all.
Meet the Makers
So who exactly are these two wizards of Düsseldorf? Besides sporting exceptional academic credentials worthy of a small bookstore of their own, the duo has an impressive amalgam of talents—they merge film, literature, drama, opera, sculpture, photography, and drawing, like a bizarre buffet you didn’t know you needed. With that kind of range, it’s hard to tell whether you’re at an art show or about to watch a mind-bending avant-garde film.
Their installations aren’t just videos; they’re immersive experiences that tug at your emotional strings. Imagine walking into a room and having your very cognizance challenged as AI-generated imagery dances before your eyes—distorting perceptions, conjuring thoughts, and even sometimes giving your inner monologue a run for its money.
Exhibitions Galore
The duo has already taken their eclectic talents on various escapades in national and international exhibitions. With more frequent flyer miles than most people will ever collect, they are championing a new discourse that could shake the very foundations of contemporary art all while delighting audiences along the way. And here’s the kicker—entry is free! Talk about a steal! It’s like being invited to a lavish buffet and discovering that the price of admission was just your willingness to explore the complex nature of our existence.
Join the Artistic Revolution
So, dear readers, mark your calendars! Don your most aesthetically pleasing attire, and prepare for a ride into the realms of artistry that challenges all we think we know about ourselves and the world around us. The event is set to take place at the Room: ZiF. Don’t be that person who shows up late—be the first to dive into this captivating world! After all, who wouldn’t want to challenge the essence of their very soul while sipping on overpriced coffee?
As the worlds of art and technology entwine, there’s no telling where the Hedda Roman duo will take us next. Are you ready to keep up?
The event is organized by the Association of Friends and Supporters of ZiF eV in collaboration with the Bielefeld Art Association.
The artistic endeavors of the duo Hedda Roman delve deeply into the complexities posed by artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on its profound interconnections with human existence. Their work critically analyzes how modern technologies not only challenge conventional views on identity and truth but also risk reinforcing them, creating a tension that reflects our current societal climate. Amidst a rising tide of reactionary essentialism—where complexities and subtle distinctions are increasingly dismissed—they employ innovative tools, including generative AI, to confront and critique prevailing profit-driven paradigms, especially the autoregressive scaling laws that dominate the field of AI research.
Hedda Roman is comprised of the talented pair Hedda Schattanik and Roman Szczesny, both of whom reside in Düsseldorf. Hedda Schattanik honed her artistic skills under the mentorship of renowned photographer Andreas Gursky, while Roman Szczesny developed his craft as a master student with the distinguished artist Marcel Odenbach.
Their creative output seamlessly merges diverse forms including film, literature, drama, opera, sculpture, photography, and drawing, all enriched by the imaginative capabilities of artificial intelligence. They are renowned for producing immersive video installations and stunning computer-generated imagery. Through their innovative work, they aim not only to broaden the horizons of artistic expression but also to investigate the intricacies of human cognition, including perception, thought, emotion, and the deeper contradictions that shape our experiences. They have showcased their compelling creations in a variety of both national and international exhibitions.
Prices: free event
Room: ZiF
**Interview with Hedda Schattanik and Roman Szczesny of The Hedda Roman Duo**
**Editor:** Welcome, Hedda and Roman! It’s a pleasure to chat with the creative minds behind the Hedda Roman Duo. Your work combines art with AI in ways that challenge our perceptions. What inspired you to explore this relationship between technology and human experience?
**Hedda:** Thank you! For us, it all started with a curiosity about how AI influences our identities. In a world where our experiences are increasingly mediated by technology, we felt compelled to dive deeper into the nuances of this relationship. It’s about understanding, questioning, and ultimately reshaping our interaction with these advancements.
**Roman:** Exactly. We wanted to challenge the traditional views of creativity and identity. AI can be both an ally and a challenge; we aim to highlight that complexity in our work. Like life itself, it’s not just black and white—it’s filled with shades of gray.
**Editor:** That’s a fascinating perspective! Would you say that your installations are meant to evoke specific emotional responses from your audience?
**Hedda:** Absolutely! We want our audience to feel an emotional connection to our work. Each installation is designed to engage viewers on a sensory level, challenging their perceptions and perhaps even provoking internal dialogues. It’s like stepping into a different reality that questions what you think you know.
**Roman:** And we often blend various mediums—film, literature, and visual arts—to create immersive experiences. It’s about crafting an environment that encourages exploration and reflection.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the themes of identity and truth are central to your work. How do you navigate the often blurry line between AI-generated content and human creativity?
**Hedda:** It’s a fine line, for sure! We approach AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity. It’s about collaboration. Just like a painter uses brushes and colors, we use AI models to enhance our creative process and reinterpret ideas.
**Roman:** Our goal is to spark conversations about authorship and authenticity in a digital age. We’re not here to provide easy answers; instead, we want to provoke thought and challenge the audience’s preconceptions.
**Editor:** Your work seems to resonate deeply at a societal level. Can you give us a sneak peek into what attendees can expect at your upcoming exhibition at the Room: ZiF?
**Hedda:** Expect the unexpected! Our exhibition will feature interactive installations that allow attendees to engage directly with the art. You’ll encounter AI-generated imagery that distorts and challenges your perceptions in real-time. It’s an experience that will invite you to rediscover your relationship with technology and art.
**Roman:** And the best part? It’s free! We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to engage with this discourse—art should be accessible to all.
**Editor:** That’s incredibly generous of you! Lastly, what do you hope people take away from experiencing your work?
**Hedda:** We hope they leave with more questions than answers. This is about exploration—exploring their identities, their relationships with technology, and ultimately, their perspectives on existence.
**Roman:** Yes, we want attendees to feel empowered to think critically about the world around them. Art has the power to inspire change, and we believe our work exemplifies that potential.
**Editor:** Thank you, Hedda and Roman! Your insights are truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing how you continue to push the boundaries of contemporary art.
**Hedda & Roman:** Thank you for having us! We can’t wait to share our work with everyone.
