Stealing Fire From the Gods
Editorial Design
Space Design
Curation
D: Ze Feng
AI is like modern-day Prometheus, unlocking innovation with risks. STEALING FIRE FROM THE GODS explores AI's potential through critical discussions by eight artists. What's next for humanity?
IDEA/CONCEPT:
My deep research into the historical origins and current state of AI's development has set the tone of the project's story from a diverse range of timelines and viewpoint positions: the age of artificial intelligence, where machines are learning and evolving at an unprecedented rate, it's easy to lose sight of the mythological story of Prometheus. What if we think of AI as a modern-day Prometheus, stealing fire in the form of knowledge and wisdom and bestowing it upon us?
By discussing the latest advances in AI technology and the timeless wisdom of the Promethean story, I hope to argue that both have the potential to unleash incredible innovation and creativity, but also pose great risks if not properly understood and utilized.
APPROACH:
In terms of typography system, the transition from stability and singularity to flexibility and diversity mirrors our confrontation with the undeniable sense of the unknown that AI introduces at the tipping point of our era. This typographic evolution not only offers readers new emotional and visual experiences but also deepens their insight into the underlying values of the topic at hand.
The book is structured into four main sections: "Origin," "Singularity," "New Dark Age," and "Exhibition," designed to progressively guide the audience from recognizing and understanding to reflecting on and critiquing the advent of the artificial intelligence era. This organization aims to provide a nuanced journey that culminates in an open-ended conclusion, inviting ongoing contemplation.
In the exhibition section, through the exhibition of eight artists with a critical exploration and subversive imagination in the field of Al and machine learning, the curators aim to spark an active discussion on society, politics, ethics, consumption, environment, culture, and aesthetics in the age of Al. As people begin to realize that talking about the future is actually discussing the present, what kind of thinking will emerge? What kind of symbiotic relationship will humans and artificial intelligence form in the future? With the disruptive era upon us, is humanity prepared for what's to come?
Artists:
Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, Jenny ODell, Memo Akten, Refik Anadol, Random International, Simon Weckert, Tega Brain, Trevor Paglen
© All rights Reserved by Ze Feng
2025