Amir Fattal begins each of his works with a series of keywords and prompts that coax a fictional portrait out of the depths of the "collective unconscious" of artificial intelligence. The subjects are various protagonists of an idealized "art world" – from artists with models in their studios to collectors in their homes to art dealers in their offices. They all pose with one of their most prized possessions: an "artwork within an artwork". This second artwork is also the product of AI, generated according to the specific aesthetics and values of each protagonist depicted.
The figures in Fattal's paintings embody the ideals of the present, placeholders for wealth, style, elegance, sophistication, and artistic sensibility. Displaying an impeccable taste for designer garments and existing among their carefully arranged furniture and displaying expressions of unfettered self-confidence, Fattal’s protagonists are almost too perfect to be true. They are both a product and a commentary on our society, a mirror reflecting the various ways our collective data is harnessed to dream up new realities. The style of the painting nods to hyperrealism, each detail articulated with a brushstroke that seems at odds with the cold precision of its original digital blueprint. Fattal’s oil paintings, executed by hand via a dedicated painting workshop in China, not only revisit the age-old practice of art reproduction but also engage in a nuanced commentary on globalization, the commodification of art, and the broader implications of AI in our capitalist society.
Presented by KÖNIG GALERIE as part of REIMAGINE TOMORROW, 1954-2024. AI in Context #2, 17-24 November 2024, Heilig-Geist-Kirche, Essen, on the occasion of the AI Biennale in Essen, Germany.
KÖNIG GALERIE has evolved into a dynamic platform for contemporary art in Berlin and beyond. Initially founded by Johann König as "Johann König, Berlin" in 2002, the gallery specializes in showcasing the work of both emerging and established international artists, with a particular emphasis on younger generations. Its program is characterized by interdisciplinary, concept-driven approaches, encompassing a wide array of artistic media, from sculpture and painting to video, installation, printmaking, photography, and performance.
