AI art meets Van Gogh at this Macau exhibition that pushes the boundaries of digital art

To celebrate the Dutch painter’s 170th birthday, One Central Macau is hosting an AI art exhibition, that has been inspired by Van Gogh’s paintings and curated by Hong Kong artists

Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork continues to fascinate the art world and beyond even now—more than a century after his death. So, to celebrate the artist’s 170th birthday this year, art curator Heiman Ng, founder of fine art and art tech consultancy Art Prince Advisory, has created an immersive experience called Starry Night Garden, which is the first of a series of immersive art experiences called Artech.

Taking place at One Central Macau, Starry Night Garden runs until July 31 and features Van Gogh-inspired AI artworks by Hong Kong’s digital artists like William Lim and Vanessa Tao.

Above William Lim’s artwork which features himself in a garden (Photo: courtesy of Heiman Ng and William Lim)

Take, for example, Lim’s immersive AI art zone, Full Moon and Blossoming Flower, which is a highlight of the exhibition. The dreamy space contains projections of six animated oil paintings of flowers based on Lim’s existing artworks: Ode to the Wandering Son (2023), Flowers Good Moon Round (2023) and Journey Home (2022). Flowers and the moon form his recurring theme, and taking inspiration from Van Gogh’s painting style, Lim infuses his art pieces with a personal touch.

For this Macau exhibition, Lim wanted to create kaleidoscopic immersive digital artscapes based on his oil paintings. To do that, he first scanned and digitalised the paintings, and then collaborated with creative agency Kaiju Matter to inject AI technology, which causes the images to move, with their changing colours and movements depicting the change in seasons.

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Above The “Starry Night Garden” exhibition at One Central Macau (Photo: courtesy of Heiman Ng and William Lim)

Ng, who has more than a decade’s experience as art consultant and curator, says he is aware of the doubtful way in which digital art is perceived in the art world, but remains hopeful of the role that AI can play in art. “In today’s digital age, [artists] are using new technologies to express ideas and emotions in ways that were not possible before. Through digital paintings, interactive art installations and immersive art rooms, I hope that this exhibition can provide a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of art and technology, and inspire visitors to explore the ways that technology can enhance and transform our understanding of art,” he says.

Starry Night Garden also has other sections that feature AI and digital art, such as the VG39 section, that consists of 39 digital artworks inspired by monuments from Van Gogh’s homeland. This is a collaboration between Hong Kong-based web3 company Appreciator.io and the Van Gogh Sites Foundation, a Netherlands-based organisation in charge of preserving the artist’s heritage.

Above The “Starry Night Garden” exhibition at One Central Macau (Photo: courtesy of Heiman Ng and William Lim)

Another highlight is a series of Van Gogh portraits created by Hong Kong AI artist Vanessa Tao, who will also guide visitors to create their own portraits in Van Gogh’s style in AI art workshops.

While it’s up to art lovers if they want to embrace these digital interpretations of Van Gogh’s art, Lim wishes that this exhibition “brings happiness to people; as art [can be] enjoyable and does not need to [be put on] a pedestal.”

Until July 31, 2023. One Central Macau, Shop 201-2019, Avenida de Sagres, Nape, Macau, +853 28222345

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Van Gogh William Lim Macau Art AI

Tatler Asia

AI art meets Van Gogh at this Macau exhibition that pushes the boundaries of digital art