Cyanne van den Houten talks about their artist-in-residence at UmArts.
Cyanne van den Houten is a queer media artist based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Their practice revolves around the parallels between magic and technology, with the works they aim to explore the synthetic connection between humans and machines. Van den Houten´s practice is a playful, intuitive place where she hacks current low and high technologies to understand the workings of it. With a background as a (graphic) designer (MA Arts in Design at Sandberg Instituut), their way of working has a design research mentality, foundation in media theory and big makers energy. The common thread in van den Houtens' work is that the machine is always in control over the outcome.
During the residency van den Houten will work on their project aleatory.agent, a micro-AI-project that integrates algorithmic chance into the creation of visual art through computer-controlled machines.
Unlike conventional generative AI tools, the project focusses on embodiment and audience interaction, making the creative process a intuitive experience between people and generative AI systems. It embraces unexpected outcomes by random and controlled variables in image and text generation, using algorithms as the primary creative and performative force.
The project explores the aesthetic and ethical dimensions of collaborating with AI, addressing questions of agency, authorship, and control.