Generative AI and the avant-garde: bridging historical innovation with contemporary art

Abstract The adoption of generative AI technology in visual arts echoes the transformational process initiated by early 20th-century avant-garde movements such as Constructivism and Dadaism. By utilising technological advances of their time avant-garde artists redefine the role of an artist and what could be considered as artwork. Written from the perspective of an art practitioner and researcher, this paper explores how contemporary artists working with AI continue the radical and experimental spirit that characterised early avant-garde. The re-evaluation of artist roles from sole creators to engineers-collaborators and curators in an AI-mediated creative process underscores a shift in the artistic practice. Through detailed case studies of three contemporary artists, the paper illustrates how generative AI is not only used to create artwork but also to critique technological, cultural, and societal systems. Additionally, it addresses ethical concerns such as AI bias, data commodification, and the environmental impact of AI technologies, situating contemporary generative AI practices within the broader context of art's evolving societal role. Ultimately, the paper underscores the transformation of artistic practice in the digital age, where AI becomes both a creative tool and a subject of critical reflection.