Introduction
Technology Reinterprets Art
This project was created as part of a poster competition initiated by Prof. Dr. Till Julian Huss for his 2023 lecture titled AI Aesthetics. The lecture explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping the art world — questioning authorship, originality, and the very definition of what we consider art. The goal of the poster was to visually communicate this tension between traditional artistic heritage and emerging AI-generated aesthetics, while remaining striking enough to promote the event effectively.
Introduction
Technology Reinterprets Art
This project was created as part of a poster competition initiated by Prof. Dr. Till Julian Huss for his 2023 lecture titled AI Aesthetics. The lecture explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping the art world — questioning authorship, originality, and the very definition of what we consider art. The goal of the poster was to visually communicate this tension between traditional artistic heritage and emerging AI-generated aesthetics, while remaining striking enough to promote the event effectively.
Concept Development
Referencing an Icon of Art History
When people think about “art,” one image almost universally comes to mind: the Mona Lisa. I intentionally chose this globally recognised painting as the conceptual anchor of the project. By starting with one of the most iconic works in Western art history, I could create a clear visual contrast between classical tradition and technological transformation. Early sketches focused on layout composition, hierarchy, and how much of the original portrait should remain visible to maintain recognisability.
Concept Development
Referencing an Icon of Art History
When people think about “art,” one image almost universally comes to mind: the Mona Lisa. I intentionally chose this globally recognised painting as the conceptual anchor of the project. By starting with one of the most iconic works in Western art history, I could create a clear visual contrast between classical tradition and technological transformation. Early sketches focused on layout composition, hierarchy, and how much of the original portrait should remain visible to maintain recognisability.
Concept Development
Referencing an Icon of Art History
When people think about “art,” one image almost universally comes to mind: the Mona Lisa. I intentionally chose this globally recognised painting as the conceptual anchor of the project. By starting with one of the most iconic works in Western art history, I could create a clear visual contrast between classical tradition and technological transformation. Early sketches focused on layout composition, hierarchy, and how much of the original portrait should remain visible to maintain recognisability.
The Original
Establishing the Baseline
The first draft used the original Mona Lisa as the base image. This version acted as a control state — grounding the concept in classical aesthetics. It allowed me to test typographic placement and composition before introducing any AI-related visual interventions.
The Original
Establishing the Baseline
The first draft used the original Mona Lisa as the base image. This version acted as a control state — grounding the concept in classical aesthetics. It allowed me to test typographic placement and composition before introducing any AI-related visual interventions.
The Original
Establishing the Baseline
The first draft used the original Mona Lisa as the base image. This version acted as a control state — grounding the concept in classical aesthetics. It allowed me to test typographic placement and composition before introducing any AI-related visual interventions.
Mechanical Distortion
Introducing Technological Intervention
In the second draft, I distorted the painting to create a mechanical, almost digital effect. The intention was to visually inject a sense of artificial manipulation into a traditional masterpiece. The distortion symbolised how AI disrupts and reconstructs established artistic norms.
Mechanical Distortion
Introducing Technological Intervention
In the second draft, I distorted the painting to create a mechanical, almost digital effect. The intention was to visually inject a sense of artificial manipulation into a traditional masterpiece. The distortion symbolised how AI disrupts and reconstructs established artistic norms.
Mechanical Distortion
Introducing Technological Intervention
In the second draft, I distorted the painting to create a mechanical, almost digital effect. The intention was to visually inject a sense of artificial manipulation into a traditional masterpiece. The distortion symbolised how AI disrupts and reconstructs established artistic norms.
AI Regenerations
Blending Original and Generated Imagery
Here, I used AI-generated reinterpretations of the Mona Lisa and layered them over the original painting. This created visual friction — a coexistence of authenticity and synthetic regeneration. The layering technique made the intervention visible while still preserving the original structure beneath.
AI Regenerations
Blending Original and Generated Imagery
Here, I used AI-generated reinterpretations of the Mona Lisa and layered them over the original painting. This created visual friction — a coexistence of authenticity and synthetic regeneration. The layering technique made the intervention visible while still preserving the original structure beneath.
AI Regenerations
Blending Original and Generated Imagery
Here, I used AI-generated reinterpretations of the Mona Lisa and layered them over the original painting. This created visual friction — a coexistence of authenticity and synthetic regeneration. The layering technique made the intervention visible while still preserving the original structure beneath.
Fragmentation
Deconstruct and Reasseme
In this iteration, the AI-generated images were cut into fragments and distorted to fit within the painting’s composition. This introduced a more aggressive transformation, suggesting how AI does not simply replicate art but reconstructs it in unexpected and sometimes unsettling ways.
Fragmentation
Deconstruct and Reasseme
In this iteration, the AI-generated images were cut into fragments and distorted to fit within the painting’s composition. This introduced a more aggressive transformation, suggesting how AI does not simply replicate art but reconstructs it in unexpected and sometimes unsettling ways.
Fragmentation
Deconstruct and Reasseme
In this iteration, the AI-generated images were cut into fragments and distorted to fit within the painting’s composition. This introduced a more aggressive transformation, suggesting how AI does not simply replicate art but reconstructs it in unexpected and sometimes unsettling ways.
Controlled Uncanny
Recognition vs. Discomfort
The goal of this draft was to maintain recognisability while amplifying discomfort. The Mona Lisa remained identifiable, yet the layered AI distortions subtly altered her expression and presence. This tension created an uncanny feeling — mirroring the broader societal reaction to AI in creative fields.
Controlled Uncanny
Recognition vs. Discomfort
The goal of this draft was to maintain recognisability while amplifying discomfort. The Mona Lisa remained identifiable, yet the layered AI distortions subtly altered her expression and presence. This tension created an uncanny feeling — mirroring the broader societal reaction to AI in creative fields.
Controlled Uncanny
Recognition vs. Discomfort
The goal of this draft was to maintain recognisability while amplifying discomfort. The Mona Lisa remained identifiable, yet the layered AI distortions subtly altered her expression and presence. This tension created an uncanny feeling — mirroring the broader societal reaction to AI in creative fields.
Final Outcome
Traditional Typography, Modern Disruption
For the final poster, I chose a sans serif typeface. The intention was to imitate a clean, institutional art aesthetic while subtly contradicting expectations — much like AI imitates artistic styles. Human perception is naturally drawn to eyes and gazes. By keeping the Mona Lisa’s gaze central and slightly altered, the poster achieved strong visual pull from a distance, making it highly effective for promotion. The final design won the competition and was officially used to promote the lecture — validating both the conceptual approach and its communicative impact.
Final Outcome
Traditional Typography, Modern Disruption
For the final poster, I chose a sans serif typeface. The intention was to imitate a clean, institutional art aesthetic while subtly contradicting expectations — much like AI imitates artistic styles. Human perception is naturally drawn to eyes and gazes. By keeping the Mona Lisa’s gaze central and slightly altered, the poster achieved strong visual pull from a distance, making it highly effective for promotion. The final design won the competition and was officially used to promote the lecture — validating both the conceptual approach and its communicative impact.
Final Outcome
Traditional Typography, Modern Disruption
For the final poster, I chose a sans serif typeface. The intention was to imitate a clean, institutional art aesthetic while subtly contradicting expectations — much like AI imitates artistic styles. Human perception is naturally drawn to eyes and gazes. By keeping the Mona Lisa’s gaze central and slightly altered, the poster achieved strong visual pull from a distance, making it highly effective for promotion. The final design won the competition and was officially used to promote the lecture — validating both the conceptual approach and its communicative impact.