Synesthetic Storytelling—Where Memory, AI, and Perception Meet
Installed at the heart of Columbia Business School, this work is part of Anadol’s ongoing Machine Hallucinations series, which explores how machines “dream” cities, spaces, and natural forms. The piece invites viewers into a form of synesthetic storytelling—where memory, machine intelligence, and human perception intersect. At once architectural and ephemeral, the painting transforms the lobby into a space of meditative immersion and digital reflection, provoking questions about the boundaries between data and imagination, city and self, technology and the future of art.
Artificial Realities: New York City draws inspiration from the dynamic and transformative essence of New York City (NYC), a place that has historically served as a gateway for immigrants seeking opportunity and success. As highlighted by Professor Kenneth Jackson’s renowned “History of NYC” class, the city’s identity is deeply intertwined with its immigrant population, which has continually reshaped its landscape and culture. This piece reflects the ever-evolving nature of NYC, mirroring the diverse and determined students who enter Columbia University each day, embodying the endless possibilities afforded by their education in this vibrant metropolis.
This installation, bespoke to Columbia Business School, is made possible by Andrew Gundlach ’01.
Artwork Overview
- Artist: Refik Anadol (b. 1985, Istanbul, Turkey), internationally celebrated for blending artificial intelligence, massive datasets, and immersive art environments.
- Title: Artificial Realities: New York City (2025), Edition 1 of 3 plus 2 Artist Proofs.
- Location: Lobby of Henry R. Kravis Hall, Columbia Business School
- Series: Part of Anadol’s signature Machine Hallucinations series which reimagines how machines "dream" of urban and natural environments, making invisible data visible through generative art.
- This installation bespoke to Columbia Business School is made possible by Andrew Gundlach, ’01.
Concept & Significance
- The piece uses advanced artificial intelligence (GAN-based image synthesis and diffusion modeling) to explore and visualize the collective memory of New York City. It portrays the city's rhythms, architecture, and identity using over 119 million publicly sourced images.
- The artwork is a dynamic, evolving “AI Data Painting” presented on a high-resolution LED canvas and runs for 52 minutes and 29 seconds on loop.
- It invites a meditative, multisensory encounter for viewers, encouraging reflection on the boundaries between data and imagination, city and self, and the future of technology and art.
Technological Features
- Custom-built for the lobby of Kravis Hall, the ultra-fine pixel pitch LED display measures 4800 by 4725 millimeters.
- Data was algorithmically interpreted to generate abstract compositions that evolve across time, form, and light.
- The system is powered by Mac Studio M4 and Millumin software, with advanced Novastar video processors.