AI as an artistic tool takes center stage in ‘Island dystopian landscapes’, the new exhibition by the Lanzarote artist Germán Páez in Santa Brígida. This photographic show opens the doors to artificial intelligence to question the degradation of the Canary Islands landscape and the effects of capitalist economy. Páez, born in Arrecife in 1967, uses advanced algorithms that emulate human processes to generate images that simulate apocalyptic futures in the islands.
Origins of AI as an artistic tool
Germán Páez rejects simplistic views on AI as an artistic tool. In dialogue with media, he emphasizes its potential to analyze patterns and learn from data, transforming island realities into critical visions. The Canary Islands face an accelerated degradation of the Canary Islands landscape: uncontrolled urbanization and massive tourism have reduced natural spaces by 20% since 2000, according to regional environmental reports. Páez generates visual dystopias that combine real photos with projections generated by machine learning.
Reflection on degradation of the Canary Islands landscape through AI
Environmental context in the islands
AI as an artistic tool allows Páez to highlight real problems. The Timanfaya volcano in Lanzarote, a natural icon, suffers erosion from excessive visitors. Statistics from the Government of the Canary Islands indicate that 40% of the island territory is urbanized, threatening unique endemic species. Digital art experts, such as curators of the Atlantic Modern Center, praise this approach for its ability to predict ecological impacts through predictive models.
- AI as an artistic tool automates visual patterns to expose territorial abuses.
- Invites debate on the capitalist economy that prioritizes hotel development over conservation.
- Connects with global trends where AI generates reflective art, such as at Ars Electronica festivals.
Cultural and technological impact
This exhibition positions AI as an artistic tool not as a threat, but as a creative ally. Páez argues that, by processing large volumes of satellite data, AI reveals invisible changes in the Canary Islands landscape, from deforestation to coastal pollution. Opinions from Canary Island environmentalists emphasize its educational value: it motivates sustainability policies. Precedents include pioneering works such as those by Refik Anadol, which use AI for generative landscapes.
The show in Santa Brígida highlights how AI as an artistic tool transforms the degradation of the Canary Islands landscape into an urgent call to action, combining technology and ecological awareness for a viable island future.
