AI Transforms Paintings into Talking Masterpieces
A unique exhibition has opened its doors at the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, Belgium. Visitors will get a chance not just to admire artworks by famous artists but also to engage in conversations with characters from the paintings.
The Belgian startup Lean Mean Learning Machine, specializing in AI technology, has reimagined the traditional museum experience into an awe-inspiring interactive journey. The paintings have been transformed into eloquent guides, capable of discussing the artists who created them, the stories behind the artworks, and answering any question a visitor might have, even ones as far-fetched as the distance from Earth to Mars.
The first artwork to 'speak' with art enthusiasts was Jenny Montigny's "Cattle Stable," featuring a farmer's wife. Visitors engaged with the painted woman, inquiring about her somber expression, her feelings for her husband, her family recipes, and the identities of people in the background.
The first interactive artwork, "Cattle Stable.” Source: mskgent.be
The AI, with a gentle female voice, provided in-depth responses. While most of the information is sourced from the internet, the AI uniquely interpreted psychological questions, imagining the thoughts and feelings of a Dutch farmer's wife in 1907, the year the artwork was created.
The influx of visitors has so delighted the museum's management that they plan to "bring to life" another canvas soon. This will be Rik Wouters' "Seated Woman at the Window."
The museum is ready for the most unexpected experiments and seeks new ways for viewers to interact with the artworks.
As explained by museum curator Madelein Descamps to journalists: “No question is too difficult for the device. You can ask questions about Jenny Motin, the style of his work, and even about the numbers pi. We know that people like to learn, not just read texts in a museum. By allowing people to ask questions to a painting, we learn what visitors would like to know about art.”
This initiative underscores the versatility of artificial intelligence, as it adeptly handles all questions from visitors. (Check out visitor reactions here.)
Lean Mean Learning Machine has ambitious plans. They aim to breathe life into everyday objects and enable them to engage in meaningful, interactive dialogues.
Perhaps soon, even our refrigerators will become conversational partners. The possibilities are endless!
