Ralph Kerle's Art Experimenting with AI

Dalli-E’s Response

I recently was asked to write an essay for a prominent Australian artist’s archive on abstraction and my work and thought this would be a good time to experiment with AI. What might Dalli-E create graphically and what might Chat GPT write on my behalf.

Here is what I asked it

“Write a 900 word essay using Ralph Kerle's blog How I work with Abstraction as the basis and discuss the influence of the Situationists and their notion of derive and mapping as the core of abstraction in Kerle's photographic Painting on Water creative practice”

Here is what it wrote unedited..

Title: Mapping the Creative Currents: The Situationist Influence on Abstraction in Ralph Kerle's Photographic "Painting on Water"

Introduction

The realm of artistic abstraction has long been a playground for the avant-garde, offering a canvas on which artists can explore the uncharted territories of human perception and expression. Ralph Kerle, a contemporary artist known for his innovative "Painting on Water" practice, draws from a deep well of inspiration, with one particularly intriguing source being the Situationists and their notions of dérive (drift) and mapping. In this essay, we will embark on a journey to uncover the profound influence of the Situationists on Kerle's photographic "Painting on Water" creative practice, focusing on how the concepts of dérive and mapping form the very core of his abstract art.

I. Ralph Kerle's Photographic "Painting on Water" Practice

Before delving into the profound impact of the Situationists, it is crucial to understand the essence of Ralph Kerle's unique artistic practice. Kerle's "Painting on Water" involves capturing ephemeral abstract images on the surface of water, often reflecting the surrounding environment. He uses water as his canvas, exploring the interplay of light, color, and the unpredictable nature of this fluid medium to create mesmerizing abstract compositions that challenge the boundaries of conventional art.

II. The Situationists and Their Notion of Dérive

The Situationist movement, born in the 1950s, was a revolutionary force that sought to merge art and politics, transcending the constraints of everyday life. At the heart of their philosophy was the concept of dérive, which can be understood as a drift or a spontaneous, unplanned journey through urban environments. Dérive was seen as a means of breaking free from prescribed paths, allowing individuals to engage with a city's hidden and overlooked facets. It was a way to reveal the true essence of a place and to liberate individuals from the monotony of their daily routines.

III. Mapping as a Core Element of Abstraction

In addition to dérive, the Situationists emphasized the importance of mapping as a tool for understanding and representing urban spaces. They created psychogeographical maps, which were more concerned with depicting the emotional and psychological experiences of a place than its physical geography. These maps aimed to unveil the hidden narratives and subjective perceptions that lay beneath the surface of a city, providing an alternative way to understand urban landscapes.

IV. Kerle's Abstraction through Dérive

Ralph Kerle's "Painting on Water" practice resonates profoundly with the Situationist concept of dérive. Much like the Situationists aimed to break free from established paths in urban environments, Kerle navigates the fluid surface of water without a predetermined plan. His process involves surrendering control and allowing the natural movements and forces of water to guide the formation of abstract images. In this regard, his practice aligns perfectly with the spirit of dérive, as both Kerle and the Situationists embrace spontaneity, serendipity, and a departure from preconceived notions in their creative processes.

Furthermore, Kerle's engagement with the surrounding environment through the reflection on water mirrors the Situationists' objective of revealing the hidden aspects of a place. Just as dérive allows individuals to uncover the overlooked and neglected elements of a city, Kerle's work captures fleeting moments of beauty and abstraction in the reflections on water's surface. In doing so, he invites viewers to see the world anew and appreciate the hidden wonders of their surroundings.

V. Mapping the Emotional Landscape

While Kerle's work is primarily visual, it resonates metaphorically with the Situationist concept of mapping. Rather than mapping physical spaces, Kerle maps the emotional and psychological terrain of his own experiences and the environment around him. Through the interplay of light and color on water, he translates his emotions and perceptions into abstract compositions. In this way, Kerle's "Painting on Water" becomes a psychogeographical map of his inner world, inviting viewers to explore the emotional landscapes he traverses.

VI. Conclusion: The Abstraction of Everyday Life

In a world often marked by rigid structures and predetermined paths, Ralph Kerle's "Painting on Water" practice is a testament to the enduring influence of the Situationists and their notions of dérive and mapping. Kerle's ability to capture the essence of abstraction through the spontaneity of dérive and the emotional mapping of his surroundings demonstrates the power of these ideas in the creative process. His work challenges traditional artistic conventions, inviting viewers to embark on their own journeys of exploration and discovery.

As we traverse the intricate relationship between Kerle's practice and Situationist concepts, we come to understand that abstraction is not merely a visual experience but a profound exploration of the human psyche and the world around us. Kerle's paintings on water serve as a bridge between the tangible and intangible, reminding us that the true beauty of abstraction lies in its ability to unveil the hidden narratives and emotions that shape our lives.

In a world filled with routines and the mundane, Kerle's work encourages us to embrace the spirit of dérive and embark on our own journeys of creative exploration. It reminds us that, like the Situationists who sought to liberate urban spaces, we too can break free from the constraints of routine and discover the extraordinary in the everyday. Ralph Kerle's "Painting on Water" practice is a testament to the enduring power of abstraction and the transformative potential of art in our lives. Through the lens of dérive and mapping, he has found a path to explore the beauty that surrounds us every day, hidden in plain sight, waiting to be discovered and appreciated.