MAN TIN

This project employed the Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to create a video from a dataset comprising over 100 images of Plato inspired by his "The Allegory of the Cave." This artwork is not only a technical attempt but a philosophical inquiry into the nature of perception, the essence of imagery, and the implications of digital replication as influenced by the capabilities of machine intelligence.

Plato’s allegory is a profound metaphor concerning knowledge, reality, and the illusions that limit human perceptions. In adapting this allegory to the digital age through the use of GAN, the work aims to explore the contemporary perspectives of image production and mediation through machine algorithms that represent and distort reality.

Generative Adversarial Networks operate through the generator and the discriminator. The generator creates new images based on the training dataset. Conversely, the discriminator evaluates the generated images, discerning whether they align with the learned criteria of what constitutes a 'realistic' image. This conflict and mediation signify Plato's concept between the perceived shadows and the realities outside the prison, introducing a new layer of abstraction - a layer where digital shadows (AI-generated images) and digital realities intertwine. The Allegory invites viewers to reflect on how contemporary technologies, especially AI and neural networks, shape not only the images we see but also the underlying truths we perceive through the generated artefacts. In this digital age, as we increasingly interact with AI-generated content, the allegory of the cave gains new relevance, driving us to consider how technology can influence and manipulate our understanding of the world.