Woman Portrait Gallery #3 — June 2025
Gabriel Levi
“Unshielded”
Parallel to the trend of using AI to generate images, an increasing number of artists are deliberately embracing analogue technology. This creates a distinct aesthetic and places stronger emphasis on the artistic process itself — a development that may also apply to other areas of life and to contemporary art in particular. That is why this edition of the group show once again features an analogue photograph: UNSHIELDED by photographer and educator Gabriel Levi.
The story begins about twenty years ago, with the technical innovation of digital cameras that simplified photography. Soon after, the constant availability of cameras led to countless decent photos, which spread inflationary across the internet. In this way, a new visual language emerged — together with a new type of photographer: the blogger or content creator, skilled at dancing with the algorithm. With the introduction of AI into image creation in the past two years, this development has taken another turn. Today, the reasons for taking a photograph at all — especially with all the hurdles of analogue photography in contrast to the simplicity of AI image generation — must be completely reconsidered. The fact that these supposed disadvantages of "handmade art" are increasingly becoming something artists consciously seek out is beautifully evident in Gabriel Levi' image. The technical error, caused by incorrectly inserted film, not only defines the final composition of the photograph but also confidently communicates that behind the image lies a process deliberately distancing itself from an automated visual culture.
The story begins about twenty years ago, with the technical innovation of digital cameras that simplified photography. Soon after, the constant availability of cameras led to countless decent photos, which spread inflationary across the internet. In this way, a new visual language emerged — together with a new type of photographer: the blogger or content creator, skilled at dancing with the algorithm. With the introduction of AI into image creation in the past two years, this development has taken another turn. Today, the reasons for taking a photograph at all — especially with all the hurdles of analogue photography in contrast to the simplicity of AI image generation — must be completely reconsidered. The fact that these supposed disadvantages of "handmade art" are increasingly becoming something artists consciously seek out is beautifully evident in Gabriel Levi' image. The technical error, caused by incorrectly inserted film, not only defines the final composition of the photograph but also confidently communicates that behind the image lies a process deliberately distancing itself from an automated visual culture.
Context
