The Modern Oracle: How AI Becomes a Conduit to the Subconscious in Contemporary Art
In the world of art, the pursuit of new mediums is as old as the chisel and the paintbrush. But what happens when the new medium is not a tool, but a collaborator? Visual artist Jeanette Gibson is at the forefront of this new frontier, using Artificial Intelligence not just to create, but to communicate. She sees the AI not as a sterile, technical device, but as a “modern oracle,” a conduit to the subconscious that reveals hidden patterns and generates unexpected insights.
This isn’t just about creating pretty pictures; it’s about a deeply conceptual process that challenges our understanding of creativity itself. By bridging the gap between the conscious and the unconscious, Gibson’s work re-imagines ancient traditions for the digital age, creating a powerful dialogue between human intention and machine intelligence.
Bridging the Conscious and Unconscious: A New Kind of Divination
Ancient oracles and diviners sought to access knowledge beyond the conscious mind through rituals and tools. They interpreted patterns in nature, the flight of birds, or the throw of bones to reveal deeper truths. In a strikingly similar way, Jeanette Gibson’s artistic practice of collaborating with AI becomes a form of contemporary divination.
The AI, with its capacity to process vast, disparate datasets of imagery, can surface symbolic forms that the conscious mind might never have conceived. This allows Gibson to tap into a deeper, more intuitive level of creativity. The resulting artwork isn’t just a product of her fine art background; it’s a revelation—an unexpected visual dialogue with the collective unconscious, mediated by a machine. This unique process positions her at the intersection of digital art and spirituality, offering a fresh perspective on the power of symbolic creation.
The Incantation: Whispering Intentions into the Digital Ether
For Jeanette, the process begins not with a sketch, but with a carefully crafted prompt—a text-based “incantation.” These prompts are not simple commands; they are seeds of intention, imbued with specific desires, energies, and conceptual frameworks. The prompt might whisper about themes of “dominance and submission” or “manifestation and intention,” guiding the AI toward a specific output while still leaving room for the unexpected.
This is where the magic happens. The AI, acting as a creative partner, responds to these incantations, generating imagery that transcends mere aesthetics. The resulting images become potent talismans, infused with the artist’s original intention and the symbolic power harnessed from the AI’s vast knowledge. This collaboration is a ritualistic process, a dance between human will and machine capability that fosters a deeper connection to the act of creation.
Redefining Reality: How AI Art Challenges Perception
Jeanette Gibson’s work is deeply rooted in the interplay between perception and reality. AI, by its very nature, challenges our understanding of what is real by creating synthetic worlds and experiences. The art she produces with this technology invites viewers to question their own perceptions of reality and to consider the role of technology in shaping our world.
Much like ancient talismans blurred the lines between the physical and the spiritual, Gibson’s digital creations blur the line between the real and the artificial. They ask us to consider: is an image created by an AI any less “real” or “meaningful” than one painted by hand? By engaging with these pieces, we are invited on a journey that dissects our perceptual boundaries and encourages a new way of seeing.
Explore the full collection of Jeanette Gibson’s AI-generated art and contemporary talismans in her Catalogue or Bespoke Handmade Objects.