On December 15th, La Lettura’s Corriere Art Collection unveils a cover that explores the intricate terrain where artificial intelligence and ethics converge: “Ethical Compositions and Ethical Objects” by Kevin Abosch.
A pioneering figure in contemporary art, Abosch employs synthetic photography to engage in a feedback loop with artificial intelligence, creating works that challenge and redefine the very notion of “ethical” art. Drawing from both proprietary and public datasets, these compositions raise a provocative question: By whose standards do we measure ethical value?
The physical issue will hit newsstands nationwide starting Sunday, December 15th. Shortly thereafter, the edition featuring the digital collectible version of the cover, complete with a digital certificate of authenticity and 3D rendering will be available on Tuesday, December 17th.
Kevin Abosch: Embracing Technology to Expand the Boundaries of Art
Kevin Abosch stands at the forefront of a cultural and technological shift, bringing together the realms of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and conceptual art. Born in Ireland in 1969, Abosch’s work spans traditional media and cutting-edge methods, exploring themes of identity, value, and the human condition in an increasingly digitized world.
His oeuvre, exhibited in renowned institutions such as The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the National Museum of China, the National Gallery of Ireland, and Jeu de Paume in Paris, challenges conventional notions of authenticity and perception. From pioneering blockchain-based projects in art since 2013 to employing synthetic photography that questions the sincerity of imagery, Abosch continuously investigates the unstable terrain between truth and representation.
Through an ongoing, iterative dialogue with AI in his artistic practice, he navigates the tension between skepticism and curiosity surrounding AI’s role in the arts, viewing it as a catalyst for rethinking how we assign meaning and value.
Abosch’s practice also extends into the blockchain domain, where he questions the very framework of art’s worth. Projects involving immaterial artworks and tokenized value encourage audiences to contemplate the essence of what art is: beyond physical, economic, or technological boundaries.
Now based in Paris, Abosch continues to shape the discourse on how we perceive and engage with creativity, inviting us to embrace a future where art, technology, and ethics converge and expand our understanding of what art can be.
A New Perspective: “Ethical Compositions and Ethical Objects”
Launching with the December 15th cover of La Lettura’s Corriere Art Collection, “Ethical Compositions and Ethical Objects” by Kevin Abosch invites readers to re-examine the moral dimensions that underlie artistic creation in the age of artificial intelligence. Crafted specifically for La Lettura, this project confronts the intricate discourse surrounding AI and ethics through the lens of synthetic photography.
At its core is a provocative question: By whose standards are these compositions considered ethical? Abosch, working in a feedback loop with artificial intelligence and drawing on both proprietary and public datasets, navigates a landscape fraught with biases and ethical dilemmas. His approach does not simply replicate the narratives shaped by prevailing data; rather, he seeks to challenge and expand them, suggesting that ethical value emerges not from preordained norms, but through thoughtful, ongoing inquiry.
In a reflection on Abosch's artwork, Gianluigi Colin, Art Director at Corriere della Sera, writes, “The artwork featured on our cover by Kevin Abosch is part of the series Ethical Compositions and Ethical Objects. It showcases indistinct materials: fabrics, plastics, and metals; rendered in a way that feels almost like abstract art. However, with this piece, Irish artist Kevin Abosch (b. 1969) addresses the complex themes surrounding artificial intelligence, ethics, and the indiscriminate use of photography generated by digital processes. Kevin Abosch is, in fact, a pioneer of digital art and one of its most recognized figures. His works span sculpture, installations, artificial intelligence, video, and, of course, photography. It is no coincidence that Abosch gained significant fame for selling a photograph of a potato for one million dollars.
Our cover also exists as a digital artwork, available to those who purchase a special collector’s edition, equipped with a QR code, starting Tuesday. Abosch’s work is ultimately geared toward exploring the biases and dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence. He navigates virtual spaces, creates multifaceted works, and fosters a dialogue on the relationship between reality and fiction in the era of tokens and blockchain.
Discover the special collector's issue, available on newsstands nationwide on Tuesday, December 17th.