Art meets algorithm: Victoria Lu explores AI and human creativity at Kuala Lumpur exhibition

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — Contemporary artist Victoria Lu, also known as Viki Lulu, views artificial intelligence not as a threat to human creativity, but as a collaborative partner expanding artistic possibilities. The Taiwanese-born curator, critic, artist, and educator integrates AI into her creative practice, utilizing it as another medium for artistic expression.

At the opening of the second edition of Art Without Boundaries — New Voyage to Nanyang, Lu declared, "AI is my partner. I use AI technology and produce art with AI." The exhibition, held at Ruang Teduh, The Exchange 106 in Tun Razak Exchange until November 11, is organized with Viki Lulu House, an art and creative platform founded by Lu, aiming to foster cultural exchange between Chinese and Southeast Asian contemporary art communities.

Lu, making her first visit to Malaysia, noted that the exhibition unites artists from various generations, illustrating the diversity of contemporary practices and the increasing impact of technology on the creative process. She emphasized that AI is an irreversible development shaping both artistic production and human civilization, stating, "It's already here, and it will change human civilisation, no matter you like it or not."

The exhibition showcases AI-assisted works alongside pieces by younger artists, illustrating diverse approaches to artistic expression and technical experimentation. For Lu, art serves as a universal language transcending geographical, racial, and linguistic boundaries. "They do not exclusively belong to one race, one language area.

They belong to all," she affirmed. Despite her enthusiasm for technology, Lu stressed that human creativity remains unique and irreplaceable by machines. Having dedicated her career to the art world, she maintains a commitment to original works while exploring how technology can enhance artistic expression. Malaysian filmmaker Datuk U-Wei Saari, who inaugurated the exhibition, welcomed the introduction of AI-based art to Malaysia, likening the viewing experience to observing clouds, where new meanings emerge upon closer inspection.

"Some of the artwork I saw, when you look at it silently, it becomes something else, it’s like looking at clouds. 'With another, I felt like I took a swim with the artist," he remarked. Li Yang, general manager of the Qiudi Art Centre based in Xiamen, explained that the exhibition serves as a platform for artistic and cultural exchange between China and Southeast Asia, inviting Malaysian artists to engage with audiences and cultural institutions in China.