On the Human Role in Generative Art: A Case Study of AI-driven Live Coding

Abstract

The evolution of philosophical views on art is interwoven with trajectories of accelerating technological amelioration. In the emergence of generative algorithms there is a need for making sense of modern technologies that step in a realm previously reserved for humans – creativity. This paper aims to understand the role of the human in generative art by demystifying implications of black-box generative algorithms and their applications for artistic purposes. First, we shortly canvas the current state of practice and research in generative art, especially music. Then, we introduce Anastatica, a part performance, part installation built using data-driven generative live coding. Finally, we discuss implications of AI in art through a case study of Anastatica’s development and performance. We trace the path from algorithms to intelligence, applying musical and computer science theory to a practical case of generating a live coding musical performance, while focusing on aesthetic, compositional, conceptual, and phenomenological implications.