AI-generated art perceptions with GenFrame -- an image-generating picture frame

TL;DR

This paper introduces GenFrame, an interactive AI-generated art display that allows viewers to modify paintings, revealing insights into public perceptions of AI art and its emotional and contextual depth compared to traditional art.

Contribution

The paper presents the design and deployment of GenFrame, an interactive AI art display, and explores visitor perceptions of AI-generated art in a museum setting.

Findings

Visitors seek more artist backstory for AI art

Interactive features enable engaging art modifications

AI art prompts new engagement with traditional art

Abstract

Image-generation models are changing how we express ourselves in visual art. However, what people think of AI-generated art is still largely unexplored, especially compared to traditional art. In this paper, we present the design of an interactive research product, GenFrame - an image-generating picture frame that appears as a traditional painting but offers the viewer the agency to modify the depicted painting. In the current paper, we report on a study where we deployed the GenFrame in a traditional art museum and interviewed visitors about their views on AI art. When provoked by AI-generated art, people need more of the artist's backstory and emotional journey to make the artwork commensurate with traditional art. However, generative AI-enabled interactive experiences open new ways of engaging with art when a turn of a dial can modify art styles or motifs on a painting. A demo can be seen here: https://youtu.be/1rhW4fazaBY.