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Clay, Code, and Creativity

CLA is proud to celebrate Nicholas Dwyer, an MFA student in ceramics and computer art, and Miho Aoki, Associate Professor of Digital Art, for receiving the Best Art Paper Award at the ADADA+CUMULUS 2024 International Conference for Asia Digital Art and Design. Their paper, Contrast of Time - Eternity and Ephemera: Artistic Investigation of Digital Technology in Ceramic, was selected among numerous international submissions for its originality, relevance, and innovative approach to blending ancient ceramics with cutting-edge digital technologies.

91��Ƶ the Award and Conference

ADADA+CUMULUS is an annual, peer-reviewed conference held at the intersection of art, design, and digital technology. Hosted at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, this year's conference gathered global leaders to exchange ideas shaping the future of digital art. Papers undergo rigorous blind peer review, and the award highlights exceptional contributions to the field. This recognition is a testament to UAF’s growing reputation for artistic and academic excellence.

Exploring Time Through Ceramics and AI

The award-winning paper investigates the interplay between ceramics—a medium with historical permanence—and the transient nature of digital technology. Dwyer’s works include intricate ceramic sculptures influenced by generative AI and innovative processes such as laser engraving and 3D printing.

One notable piece, Future’s Calling (Phone Quartet), features handbuilt ceramic forms resembling smartphones, engraved with AI-modified images. These pieces, which can last for millennia, highlight the contrast between ephemeral technology and enduring materiality.

Dwyer’s reflections on AI as an artistic tool offer profound insights. “The new image was intriguing in that it was alien and artificial and thus novel,” he noted of his experience using the Artbreeder platform, adding, “However, the style or influence of other artists are clearly present, and I found that using my AI creations as an image prompt over and over felt less like my own art and more like a stock photo that contained some of my own DNA.” This blending of personal and digital artistry invites questions about authorship and originality in the era of AI.

Unique Perspectives on AI and Art

Dwyer and Aoki’s collaborative approach is a fresh voice in the ongoing debate about AI's role in art. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human creativity, their work frames it as a partner in artistic exploration.

In works like Beyond Technique: ChatGPT Cube, a 3D-printed ceramic created using AI-generated code, Dwyer emphasized, “With this method only the influence is mined from AI, my hand still adds the coloring.” This hybrid approach challenges conventional boundaries between artist and machine.

 

Where Creativity Meets Research

This achievement exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration—a cornerstone of UAF’s commitment to innovation and its pursuit of R1 status. At the heart of projects like Dwyer and Aoki’s is the belief that breakthroughs often occur at the intersection of fields. By uniting the timeless craft of ceramics with cutting-edge digital technologies, their work underscores how interdisciplinary research can challenge norms, generate fresh perspectives, and address contemporary societal questions.

As UAF strives for R1 status, fostering projects that bridge art, technology, and other disciplines is essential to expanding the university’s impact. Research like this not only enriches artistic practice but also positions UAF as a leader in addressing the complex challenges of our digital era through a lens of creativity and critical thought. With a focus on collaboration across diverse fields, UAF continues to cultivate a culture of inquiry that inspires both local and global communities.

MFA Showcase: Within

UAF kicks off the spring semester with the MFA exhibition Within, featuring works from Dwyer and other MFA students. On display at the UAF Art Gallery from January 13-30, 2025, this exhibition offers visitors a chance to experience the artistic diversity and innovation thriving at UAF.