**AI and Afrofuturism Merge in Chicago’s Art Scene**
Artist Tyanna J. Buie is breaking new ground in the art world with her latest exhibition, “Revisionist History,” where she embraces the intersection of AI and Afrofuturism to explore her family legacy in a unique and humorous way. Through a blend of 17th- and 18th-century Dutch royal portraits and her own family members, Buie creates a narrative that imagines what could have been if colonialism had not disrupted her family’s history.
In this ironically Afrofuturist display, Buie utilizes AI technology to construct a story that intertwines her family’s past with a futuristic twist. Drawing on fragmented pieces of her family history gathered from conversations with relatives, Buie immerses herself in a world of power and heroism, tracing her lineage back to the African kingdom of Nyala. The short film accompanying the exhibition, scripted by ChatGPT, narrates the tale of four visionary leaders and their journey from Nyala to the Great Migration to Chicago and Milwaukee.
The gallery walls are adorned with large-scale print sculptures of the heroes mentioned in the film, each highlighting their names, personal artifacts, and the homes they once inhabited in Englewood and Roseland. During a conversation with artist Shonna Pryor at the gallery, Buie shared how her upbringing in the Midwest influenced her artistic practice, from her childhood in Chicago and Milwaukee to her time in Detroit, where she developed a deep appreciation for Afrofuturism and its possibilities for Black life in the future.
While “Revisionist History” represents a slight departure from Buie’s previous socially engaged work and her exploration of her foster care background, she remains committed to using art as a tool to shape her own narrative and envision a dream history, reality, and future for herself. Now based in Providence, Rhode Island, she serves as an associate professor in printmaking at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Infused with elements of humor, Buie’s exhibition challenges viewers to interpret and construct their own meanings from the narrative she and AI have crafted. By embracing the future of technology in art, Buie invites audiences to engage with her work in a dynamic and interactive way, sparking conversations about identity, heritage, and the impact of colonialism on personal histories.
**Experience “Revisionist History” at cam.contemporarie**
“Revisionist History” is on display at cam.contemporarie through October 5th, offering visitors the opportunity to delve into Buie’s imaginative exploration of her family’s legacy. The gallery is open on Mondays and Fridays from noon to 4 PM, and Saturdays from noon to 3 PM. Additionally, a special sound activation event will take place on Friday, October 4th from 5-8 PM at cam.contemporarie, providing an immersive experience for attendees to engage with the exhibition in a unique way.
Don’t miss the chance to witness the convergence of AI and Afrofuturism in Buie’s groundbreaking exhibition, where art, technology, and storytelling come together to create a thought-provoking and visually captivating experience. Explore the rich tapestry of history, culture, and imagination woven by Buie as she reimagines her family’s past and envisions a future empowered by creativity and innovation.