AUB hosts world’s first digital supermodel at new generative AI exhibition

A new exhibition exploring how artificial intelligence is impacting artists’ practice has opened at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).

Design; Disruption; Divergence explores generative AI – a type of AI which is fed existing text and images, typically created by humans, in order to produce its own new content.

The exhibition explores identity politics in digital representation and creative AI, as well as authenticity, diversity and ownership in digital spaces.

In a first for the university, the exhibition is also available in a virtual exhibition space.

It’s curated by Jennifer Anyan, director of AUB’s new School of Arts, Media and Creative Industries Management.

“There’s been a surge in the generative AI technology that’s available to the general public,” said Jennifer.

“If artificial intelligence can generate ideas which have so far been the preserve of creative people, what does this mean for the practice of creatives, designers, artists?

“We invited those engaging with generative AI through their own creative practice to look at what the opportunities are, what the ethical dilemmas are and how we understand and explore this new tool.”

Alongside photography, film, fashion, textiles and object-based work, the exhibition’s headline act is a hologram of Shudu Gram – the world’s first digital supermodel and newly announced industry patron for AUB.

Created in 2017 by fashion photographer Cameron-James Wilson, Shudu has her own Instagram profile and has already featured on the front cover of Vogue.

“We’ve also been working in collaboration with Cameron and using generative AI to enable Shudu to communicate with visitors,” Jennifer added.

“It’s quite the show!”

Among the exhibitors is Lisa Moro – who studied her bachelor’s and master’s in fine art at AUB – with her piece, the English Dragon Snake.

“I used AI to translate the fragmented recollections of childhood games shared by Vietnamese friends into animation and sound, filtered through my English understanding,” said Lisa.

“Using Gravity Sketch in VR, I visualised AI-generated imagery derived from translated game descriptions.

“The AI’s surreal distortions – figures floating or morphing unexpectedly – highlighted the slippages in cultural translation.

“For sound, I used AI-generated lyrics in both Vietnamese and English, transformed into song with word-to-vocal software, reinforcing the theme of linguistic mediation.

“This process underscored AI’s role not as a direct translator but as an unpredictable collaborator in reshaping memory.”

Jennifer concluded: “In a time when algorithms are part of our everyday world, this exhibition is all about how AI collaborates with human imagination.

“AI emerges here as more than just an assistant – it’s a mirror reflecting our hopes and anxieties about the future of creativity in the digital age.

“These works illustrate AUB’s proactive engagement with AI and its impact on creative industries, underscoring the need for human guidance and design thinking in shaping its role in artistic practice.”

Design; Disruption; Divergence is showing at TheGallery at AUB’s Bournemouth campus until 24 April.

For more information, visit aub.ac.uk/latest/design-disruption-divergence