The Hard Question of Art

Metahaven is a research and design studio based in Amsterdam, who work at the 'the cutting blade between communication, aesthetics, and politics.' Through books, films, exhibitions and events, they explore the boundaries of art, politics and technology. The Hard Problem of Art explores the function of art in a time of Artificial Intelligence. In these complicated times, when the power to change things seem out of our grasp, we put a huge weight on art to transform the world; but how? Does beauty matter? Does Art have a moral purpose? As scientists map our brains when we look at a painting, what do these flashing synapses tell us about creativity? Can you tell the difference between work produced by an artist or an AI? Does the price a work sells for on the market reference its quality? What is the point if art can't reverse climate change? We are living during a time when everything is up for grabs. But Daniel van Der Velden and Vinca Kruk argue that, in this urgent age, we need to rethink what art does in the world - for the creator, the viewer, the owner. Art is a means of communion. We should stop asking whether we think it is 'good' or not. It is what moves us, and can therefore become the means through which change can happen.