Parkside Gallery, Birmingham City University (BCU) . From January 13, 2025, to January 31, 2025.

New Approaches AI Co-creation, Collaboration and Creativity’, with submissions from staff, students and alumni from BCU, as well as international artists.

This exhibition, inspired by Richard Brautigan's 1967 poem ‘All Watched Over’ by Machines of Loving Grace, marks the first time Birmingham City University has dedicated an entire exhibition to AI-co-created work, offering a platform to explore the developing dynamic dialogue between creatives and AI. It features submissions from staff, students, alumni, and practitioners beyond the university while highlighting practice-based research, experimental processes, and diverse artistic outcomes across various media. The exhibition reflects ongoing conversations about AI's role in creative education and practice while we navigate this evolving landscape.

This showcase was developed by staff on the BA Graphic Design and BA Illustration courses at Birmingham City University.

Curated by Gareth Courage & Martin Donnelly

“When a new technology arrives, there is often plenty of discussion about its legitimacy as an artform. We are seeing historical parallels, and the same conversations that were had when photography and digital art first emerged, even decades ago,”.

Gareth Courage, Lecturer in Illustration at BCU.

All Watched Over is looking to showcase how human users can work proactively with AI as a contributor, to develop new ideas and shape the creative process.

“When a new technology arrives, there is often plenty of discussion about its legitimacy as an artform. We are seeing historical parallels, and the same conversations that were had when photography and digital art first emerged, even decades ago,” said Gareth Courage, Lecturer in Illustration at BCU. “These historical parallels are a reminder that new technologies often create a sense of wonder and panic but can become a part of everyday life and respected art forms.

“Incorporating AI into the creative process can, instead of making us passive and deskilled, propel work in different and unexpected directions.

“As a university we want to challenge and explore new technologies, but to do this it’s important to engage with them directly. Failing to engage with technology like gen-AI would be a disservice to our students too as this software will increasingly influence their studies and careers.”

All Watched Over will be shown at the Parkside building from Wednesday 8th – Friday 31st January. More information is available on the BCU website.

Issued by Birmingham City University Press Office..

Featuring work by
Christoph Grünberger & Kero™ / Mara Barros / Ghost Salad / SERIFA / Ben Sadler / Liam Queenan / Gergana Badeva & Nial Waldron / Kristian Jones / Jonathan Griffiths / Oliver Wells / Blatant Space / William Parslow / Ella Price / Gareth Courage / Martin Donnelly


Parkside Gallery, BCU, Curated by Gareth Courage & Martin Donnelly

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