This week, we’re taking a huge leap forward in our exploration of interactivity. We’re also learning about gamification and how it can be applied to virtual galleries and spaces. In particular, we explored integrating proximity detection into our virtual spaces, we’re learning how to make art respond to the viewer’s movements and presence. This means that characters in our digital worlds don’t just wait passively to be discovered—they interact with the viewer as they approach, creating a dynamic relationship between the art and the person experiencing it.
As artists, this technology allows us to think about how space, movement, and presence play a role in art. Through collaboration, we’ve learned how to set proximity triggers that initiate interactions and dialogue, ensuring that the virtual gallery feels alive and responsive. This week, we’ve been experimenting with how to adjust the thresholds for interaction and how to make each moment feel organic rather than scripted. It’s a thrilling challenge that brings together our growing technical skills with our artistic instincts. In doing so, we’re pushing the boundaries of how art can be experienced—where the audience isn’t just engaging with static pieces but becomes an active participant in the narrative.
The fun we’re having with the digital arts aspects of this year’s winter program is undeniable. Learning to manipulate 3D environments, create dynamic lighting effects, and using AI to generate real-time content represents cutting-edge developments in the field of digital art. However, it is important to note that these technical elements are also inextricably tied to the creative vision behind the work. This is not a project driven purely by the desire to use technology for its own sake. Instead, it is a project driven by the artistic vision of creating an interactive, immersive world where stories are not just presented but experienced in collaboration with the audience. This reflects our goal to see a shift in creative leadership within the digital arts, where the role of the artist can expand beyond traditional boundaries to include technological expertise in crafting new forms of art that engage with the audience on a deeper, more personal level.
AI Tools to help with your next art project
Whether you’re building an online, virtual gallery or creating music and images, there are a whole bunch of AI tools out there that can help you with your next art project. Here’s some of our favourite current AI platforms we like to use:
Krea.AI is a powerful AI-driven creative tool designed for artists, designers, and content creators looking to generate high-quality images, textures, and visuals effortlessly. With advanced generative AI, Krea.ai enables users to create unique digital art, concept designs, and photorealistic renders using state-of-the-art diffusion models.
SeaArt.AI provides a seamless ai generator experience for generating artistic masterpieces, making it a go-to platform for AI-assisted creativity, ai drawing and innovation.
Pika.Art is an AI art generator that offers a whole bunch of unique artistic styles, enhancing creative workflows, or generating AI-assisted animations, Pika Art offers a seamless and powerful solution for next-level creative expression.
The OpenAI Researcher Access Program democratizes cutting-edge AI research by providing early-career researchers and underfunded institutions with access to advanced models, accelerating innovation in machine learning, natural language processing, and AI ethics.
About our Winter 2025 program
Our fall and winter 2025 program in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is focused on exploring the intersection of digital skills, storytelling, creative entrepreneurship, and leadership in the arts. We’re dedicated to equipping artists with the tools and knowledge to navigate the evolving digital landscape, empowering them to bring their creative visions to life in new, innovative ways. This program is a space for collaboration and growth, where artists can sharpen their digital skills, explore the potential of emerging technologies, and build the leadership capabilities needed to drive their own creative ventures forward. This year’s program activities are supported by the OpenAI Researcher Access Program and the Manitoba Arts Council.