David Hockney, the renowned British painter, is set to debut his first-ever AI-generated artwork at the Glastonbury Festival this weekend. The festival, known for its impressive lineup of musical acts, will now also feature a dose of art with Hockney’s latest creation. The digital piece, created in collaboration with the Cultural Institute of Radical Contemporary Arts (CIRCA), will be displayed across the video screens of the festival’s main stage on the evening of June 23.
Hockney’s new artwork is based on his 2014 painting titled “The Dancers V,” which is part of a series exploring the theme of dancers. The original painting features a group of vibrantly dressed dancers holding hands in a circular formation, reminiscent of Matisse’s iconic artwork “Dance.” For his AI-assisted piece, Hockney used his iPad and artificial intelligence to remove the dancers from the work, leaving behind a stunning cerulean landscape. The resulting one-minute video, titled “I LIVED IN BOHEMIA BOHEMIA IS A TOLERANT PLACE,” aims to promote harmony through Bohemianism—a message fitting for a festival rooted in hippie culture.
Emily Eavis, one of the co-organizers of the Glastonbury Festival, expressed her excitement about having David Hockney’s artwork showcased at the event. She referred to him as a “living legend” and stated that they were truly honored to debut his work before the festival’s special guests on the Pyramid Stage. The artwork will also be displayed across the festival’s main stages throughout the weekend.
Josef O’Connor, the founder and artistic director of CIRCA, described the collaboration between David Hockney and Glastonbury as a perfect match. This project marks their second partnership, following the display of Hockney’s digital artwork on billboards in major cities earlier in 2021. O’Connor, who curated Hockney’s Glastonbury piece, emphasized the significance of the artist’s exploration of new media and perspectives. Hockney’s continuous experiments with AI, fax prints, iPad drawings, and immersive experiences demonstrate his ongoing curiosity and willingness to embrace technological advancements.
O’Connor highlighted the relevance of Hockney’s exploration of perspective in the context of AI-generated art. He noted that it had been a century since perspective had last been extensively discussed, with the advent of Cubism. With the emergence of robot-generated art, O’Connor believes it is crucial to examine art with fresh eyes and a renewed perspective.
As festival-goers gather to enjoy the music and atmosphere at Glastonbury, they will also have the opportunity to appreciate David Hockney’s innovative artwork. The fusion of technology and creativity promises to deliver a unique and thought-provoking experience, further enriching the festival’s diverse program.