Bringing van Gogh to Life through A.I.
At the Musée D’Orsay, visitors can now engage in conversations with a remarkably lifelike replica of the Dutch artist. Named “Bonjour Vincent,” this replica was assembled using artificial intelligence and analyzed over 900 letters written by van Gogh himself, along with early biographies about him. The A.I. was also guided by human input to address sensitive questions from visitors on a digital screen through a microphone.
According to museum officials, the algorithm behind “Bonjour Vincent” constantly refines its responses based on how questions are formulated, ensuring a more accurate and immersive experience for visitors.
The Journey to Digital Immortality
The development of the van Gogh algorithm was no small feat, taking almost a year of meticulous planning and deliberation. “One of the questions we asked ourselves was at what point this van Gogh was the real van Gogh,” shared Agnès Abastado, the head of digital development at the museum.
This initiative is part of the Musée D’Orsay’s broader mission to assert its relevance in the modern world, despite holding a vast collection from the 19th century. To support this leap into the future, the museum has collaborated with various companies, some of which stand to profit from the endeavor.
Additionally, the museum has partnered with Jumbo Mana, a tech start-up that developed the van Gogh A.I. The company intends to create similar projects based on other influential artists, such as the French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
Expanding the Boundaries of van Gogh’s Art
The integration of van Gogh’s paintings extends beyond the confines of museums. In the popular online game Roblox, players can now incorporate digital versions of van Gogh’s artwork into their avatars’ clothing. By scanning a van Gogh portrait through the mobile app Replica, users can access elements such as the artist’s hat and jacket, which can be combined with other museum objects.
This innovative project was spearheaded by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a corporate sponsor, Verizon, with the aim of engaging younger audiences in art appreciation.
While efforts to digitize artwork have faced resistance in the past, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted perspectives, leading to increased interest and acceptance of online museum experiences.
From Culture to Commerce
Museums, cognizant of evolving audience expectations, have been diversifying revenue streams through merchandise collaborations. The Van Gogh Museum’s 50th-anniversary partnership with Pokémon Company International, however, experienced chaos as scalpers swarmed the gift shop, causing the withdrawal of special trading cards featuring a Pikachu rendition of van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat.”
Despite challenges, the various projects celebrating van Gogh’s life and art continue to evolve, incorporating valuable insights from experts like Wouter van der Veen, a specialist on the artist. His involvement in the A.I. experiment at the Musée D’Orsay has contributed to the accuracy and linguistic nuances of the van Gogh replica.
While there are still glitches to resolve, these endeavors aim to enhance the reach and admiration of van Gogh’s extraordinary artistic legacy.