Skies Epitomized

A dynamic lightbox with AI-generated visualizations opposing what is seen gazing at the sky in peaceful areas to the sky seen in areas of conflict and unrest.

SKIES EPITOMIZED OF WAR AND PEACE

Skies Epitomized is a series of AI-generated images that reveal the essence of the sky in different parts of the world. Each image makes known a specific time and place and is paired with a person from that region so that the viewer can see the sky through their eyes.

Maja Petric’s computer-generated visualizations attempt to express the essence of our collective gaze. To achieve this all-encompassing perspective, she utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) developed by the computer scientist Nebojsa Jojic. The algorithm is set to search the internet and identify manifold views of the sky based on time, location, air pollution, and meteorological data. These complex mathematical systems review the found images, analyze their salient properties, and summarize the data. The resulting artwork, “painted” by the software, captures the sky as seen through varying human perspectives.

Skies Epitomized, 9/11

Skies Epitomized, Baghdad

Skies Epitomized, North Pole

Skies Epitomized, New Mexico

Skies Epitomized, Hawaii

Skies Epitomized, Shanghai

The piece was a result of Maja Petric’s art residency at Microsoft Research. It has been featured in Fast Co. magazine, and selected as a finalist for the Co.Design’s Innovation by Design Awards 2016.

Materials: Custom AI, giclee print, glass, wooden frame
Dimensions: 34 x 19 x 0.5 in / 86.4 x 48.3 x 1.3 cm
Software: Nebojsa Jojic
Exhibited: Microsoft Research Headquarters, Redmond, WA, USA
Year: 2015-2018