Relational Aesthetics and AI in Art

Sebastian Harrington

Alright, let’s dive into this idea of relational aesthetics. Jamie, this is a term that really flips the script on traditional views of art, right?

Jamie Bradbury

Absolutely. Nicolas Bourriaud’s concept, which he introduced in 1998, is all about moving away from art as isolated objects and instead focusing on creating environments where people connect—where relationships take center stage. It reimagines art as this active network of human interactions.

Sebastian Harrington

So, it’s less about the painting on the wall and more about what happens in the room, right? The people, the conversations.

Jamie Bradbury

Exactly. Think of it like this—the art isn’t just in the object but in how people engage with it and, more importantly, with each other. The artist sets the stage for those moments, where everyone involved becomes part of the experience. It’s revolutionary because it challenges the idea of the artist as this solitary genius and instead emphasizes community, interaction, and, well, a kind of shared authorship.

Sebastian Harrington

Got it. So, could you give us an example? Like, how does this actually look in practice?

Jamie Bradbury

For sure. Take Gillian Wearing, for instance. She created these life-sized photos where everyday people hold up signs revealing their private thoughts. It’s simple but so powerful because it draws viewers into this shared experience of vulnerability and honesty. You’re not just looking at the work; you’re engaging with it emotionally and intellectually.

Sebastian Harrington

Right. And it sounds like it puts the audience in this really active role—not just observing but feeling like they’re involved.

Jamie Bradbury

Exactly. And then there’s Philippe Parreno, whose work focuses more on spatial interaction. He uses things like light, sounds, or even the behavior of an audience to shape the environment as the art unfolds. What’s happening around you becomes the art itself.

Sebastian Harrington

That’s super immersive. And it really flips traditional ideas of art, like the whole “here’s the artist’s masterpiece, now stand back and admire it” thing.

Jamie Bradbury

Totally. Relational aesthetics tears that hierarchy to shreds. Instead of art being created by an artist for a passive audience, it’s about everyone—artist, audience, environment—all co-creating something meaningful together. The interactions themselves become the work.

Sebastian Harrington

And it’s interesting because it feels so modern. There’s this emphasis on dialogue, breaking down barriers, making art more social.

Jamie Bradbury

Completely. It reflects how our world operates today—more interconnected, less hierarchical. And the beauty of it is that it’s open-ended. You never quite know what’s going to happen because so much depends on the people and the moment.

Sebastian Harrington

So, Jamie, as we talk about this modern focus on connection and dialogue in relational aesthetics, where does artificial intelligence come into play? How might AI deepen or reshape these collaborative and interactive dynamics?

Jamie Bradbury

Yeah, so AI introduces this fascinating new layer to relational aesthetics. It’s almost like, instead of just human-to-human interactions, we now have this triadic dialogue happening—between humans, machines, and the artwork itself. AI becomes a co-creator in the process.

Sebastian Harrington

Okay, that’s cool. But how does it work in practice? Like, where do we actually see AI partnering with artists or the audience?

Jamie Bradbury

A great example is interactive art installations. Imagine something like an AI-driven piece where the system responds in real-time to audience input. You’re no longer just looking at a piece; you’re influencing it. The artwork shifts based on your actions, your presence.

Eric Marquette

So the audience isn’t just the spectator anymore—they’re part of the creation too?

Sebastian Harrington

Exactly. And that’s the key. The audience’s interaction isn’t incidental—it’s essential. Take something like a digital installation where an AI analyzes movement or sound in the room and then generates visuals or music in response. It’s all about everyone—human and machine—shaping the experience together.

Eric Marquette

That’s wild. It really blurs the line between who’s creating and who’s participating. I mean, where does the artist’s role even begin or end in something like that?

Sebastian Harrington

Right, and that’s one of the big questions AI art raises. Is the artist the one who programs the AI? Is it the machine itself when it generates the output? Or is it the audience, who brings the whole system to life? It’s this collective authorship that’s redefining what art is—and who gets to be called an artist.

Eric Marquette

And it’s interesting because it feels almost democratic—like giving everyone, even the AI, a say in the creative process.

Sebastian Harrington

Totally. And that’s what makes it such a natural extension of relational aesthetics. The emphasis is on relationships, on connections. Only now, those connections include technology as an active participant in the dialogue.

Sebastian Harrington

It’s like a whole reimagining of creativity. Co-creation on a new level.

Jamie Bradbury

Exactly. And it’s not just about creativity in the traditional sense. It’s also a reflection of where society is headed—hybrid spaces where humans and technology collaborate, intersect, and, honestly, surprise each other.

Sebastian Harrington

So, Jamie, building on this idea of hybrid spaces and co-creation, where do you think this convergence between relational aesthetics and AI could take art and creativity in the years to come?

Jamie Bradbury

Well, I think we’re seeing a shift—not just in how art is made but in how we think about art itself. Relational aesthetics was already about breaking down the hierarchy between artist and audience. And now, with AI, we’re adding another collaborator to the mix. It’s not just a person-to-person relationship; it’s a person-to-machine-to-community relationship.

Sebastian Harrington

Right, and the idea of communities actually co-creating with AI feels like it could change the whole game.

Jamie Bradbury

It could. And it’s interesting because this dynamic is making us rethink ideas like authenticity and originality. I mean, historically, those have been tied to human creativity. But now, with algorithms influencing outcomes, we have to ask—what makes something authentic? Is it the artist’s intent, the machine’s input, or the audience’s engagement?

Sebastian Harrington

That’s a tough one. Maybe it’s all three. But you know, it also kinda reminds me of debates in music, like when DJs started using samplers and loops. I mean, people questioned whether remixing a track was real creativity.

Jamie Bradbury

Exactly. And that’s such a good comparison. In DJing, you’re curating, assembling, and layering existing elements to create something new. And it’s not always about inventing—it’s about connecting. AI in art feels similar. It’s not replacing creativity; it’s augmenting it, giving us tools to explore new possibilities.

Sebastian Harrington

Yeah, and it’s also shifting the focus to the process, right? Like, instead of the final product, it’s about how everything—everyone—comes together to make it happen.

Jamie Bradbury

Absolutely. It’s this interplay of collaboration that’s so powerful. And it mirrors society. As tech becomes more integrated into our lives, we’re moving into this hybrid space where machines aren’t just tools but partners in creativity, in problem-solving, in, you know, creating meaning.

Sebastian Harrington

And I think what’s exciting is how accessible it seems. The walls are kind of coming down for who gets to create—and even what counts as art.

Jamie Bradbury

Totally. That inclusivity breaks those old-school hierarchies wide open. Think about AI-powered art projects that invite public participation—those become spaces for dialogue, not just art exhibits. It’s a bit like how street art turned the public into collaborators, but now it’s like the digital version.

Sebastian Harrington

And it feels like we’re just scratching the surface. There’s so much potential here, whether it’s creative applications, educational ones, or just finding new ways for humans and machines to intersect.

Jamie Bradbury

Yeah, and I think that’s what makes this moment so fascinating. The idea of art as something you do with people, with communities—and now with AI—opens up so much space for experimentation and dialogue. It’s alive, evolving with every interaction. And that’s, honestly, what makes it real.

Sebastian Harrington

Agreed. And on that note, I think we’ve given our listeners a lot to think about—about art, about AI, and about where creativity is headed.

Jamie Bradbury

Definitely. It’s been such a great conversation, and I think we’re we’re just at the start of what’s possible here.

Sebastian Harrington

And that’s all for today. Thanks so much for tuning in and being part of this dialogue with us. See you next time!