Over the Christmas break, I took a trip to Budapest with some of my friends which we visited 'Cinema Mystica'- an interactive museum experience. Within the museum there are over 25 different rooms and experience which immerse visitors with sounds and sounds that activate sensory feeling. The rooms are often dark with bold colourful installations. The staircase on the left was interactive with whatever step you took on a step, it would give the action that you were walking through water. I loved this feeling of user experience and the fact that my actions would change the output of the lights and pattern. There was also a room in which users could have their picture taken and using AI, the software would generate an image of the person as a creature.
This immersive experience allows people to engage more deeply with the artwork and allowing for personal interpretations. I think the use of generative AI powered installations is fun in terms of an art perspective as it can respond to audience interaction in real-time, providing personalised experiences. This level of interactivity not only makes the experience more engaging but also allows individuals to feel like they’re co-creators, shaping the art in unique ways.
Despite saying this, it could make other artists who use more traditional methods such as painting and sculpture feel de-valued and under-appreciated. If generative AI technology can produce artwork more quickly and on such a personal level, there is the risk that people may come to see these more conventional art forms as less valuable or relevant. This could shift focus away from the skills of real life people making art and design which can be tricky to navigate.
Overall, I think user experience in this context is becoming so much more prevalent in technology in this time with interaction being a focal point of now many art and design installations. I think this approach in getting people involved in immersive art gives people the chance to surround themselves with visually interesting experiences and stimuli- sounds, textures. I like the concept of having the best of both worlds in a sense that it is nice to have the opportunity to visit and interact with art such as Cinema Mystica, however to be kept separate from traditional museums with art made by real people that is also appreciated but in a different way.
