OpenAI, ChatGPT and Maurizio Cattelan

Like many, I have been following with interest the fast-paced developments of AI technologies and reflecting upon the uncertain consequences that may or may not lie ahead. Whether these technologies might signify a giant leap in our human development or an obscure but not yet adverted dystopia is still quite blurred in my gaze. For now, I am just amazed at their remarkable capabilities.

I recently tried the ChatGPT platform, which is an OpenAI based language model designed to imitate  natural human language.  I must say I was quite impressed. Were it not for the speed at which the responses were produced, and the fact that I myself consciously logged into the platform, I suspect I would have probably not distinguished it was a machine I was talking to. Well... that's not entirely true. I must say I also noticed suspiciously consistent compare/contrast structures in most of its responses. I think I'm not yet ready to place my bet on OpenAI passing the Turing test. However, I'm starting to believe that we might not be too far away from this happening.

Here's a transcript of my most recent conversation with ChatGPT:

Carlos: Please apply a class analysis to Maurizio Cattelan's art.

ChatGPT: Maurizio Cattelan is an Italian conceptual artist known for his irreverent and often controversial works that challenge the boundaries of art and cultural norms. Through his art, Cattelan explores themes such as power, death, and the absurdity of contemporary life.

Class analysis can be applied to Cattelan's work by examining the ways in which his pieces reflect and critique the social and economic power dynamics of our society. Cattelan often employs humor and irony to make pointed commentary on the wealth, privilege, and status of the art world and its players.

For example, his famous sculpture "Comedian" features a taxidermied horse suspended from the ceiling, a symbol of the demeaning and subjugating power of the wealthy over the working class. In "Him," a small child-sized Adolf Hitler sculpture, Cattelan highlights the grotesque absurdity of totalitarian power and the consequences of unchecked authority.

Cattelan's work can also be seen as a critique of the art market and the commodification of art. Through his use of absurd and absurdist elements, he challenges the notion of the "value" of art and the role it plays in perpetuating class divides.

In conclusion, class analysis of Maurizio Cattelan's work reveals that his art is a commentary on the intersections of power, wealth, and cultural production in contemporary society. Through his use of humor, irony, and absurdity, Cattelan critiques the institutions and power dynamics that sustain class inequality and the commodification of art.

Carlos: But his art is only consumed by the bourgeoisie. It is something meaningless for the working class. How can it be a critique of social and economic power dynamics when Maurizio Cattelan himself is making millions and profiting from creating useless and absurd pieces of so-called art. His whole lifestyle seems to be an example of the superficiality of the bourgeois lifestyle. While millions of workers earn very little and can barely make ends meet by doing actually meaningful activities, Cattelan makes millions by doing nothing productive and meaningful for society.

ChatGPT: Your observations about the class nature of Cattelan's audience and the financial success of his work are valid. It's true that the art world is often dominated by the bourgeoisie and that Cattelan's success and wealth as an artist are a product of that system.

However, it's also important to consider the potential impact of his work on those who do have the means to engage with it. Cattelan's art can serve as a critique of the values and power dynamics of the bourgeoisie, even if it's consumed and appreciated primarily by that same class. Through his use of humor, irony, and absurdity, Cattelan challenges the prevailing cultural norms and beliefs of the art world and the broader society.

It's also worth noting that the working class can still engage with and be affected by Cattelan's work, even if they are not the primary consumers of it. Art can have a democratizing effect and can inspire people from all walks of life to think critically about the world around them.

In conclusion, while it's true that Cattelan's success as an artist is a product of the class system he critiques, his work can still serve as a valuable critique of that system and can inspire critical thought and reflection in those who engage with it.

Carlos: Firstly, I don't agree that the working class can still engage and be affected by Cattelan's work. If by "working class" you mean the working class of the Global North, you might be right. The working class in so-called "developed" countries might have access to Internet and thus to Cattelan's work. However, the working class in poorer countries (which is in fact the majority of the world's working class population) probably has no resources, time, nor interest in accessing Cattelan's work. Secondly, I don't agree with the idea that Cattelan's work can serve as a valuable critique of the class system. A critique must be able to mobilize sentiments against that which it is critiquing. Those who consume Cattelan's art are probably not invested in a real and profound critique of the same system that feeds them.

 

ChatGPT: Your points are valid and raise important questions about the limitations of art as a tool for social critique and its accessibility to different classes of people.

It is true that the majority of the world's working class population, particularly those in poorer countries, may not have access to or be interested in Cattelan's work. The limitations of the art world as a space for critique are significant, and it's important to acknowledge that art may not be the most effective or accessible way for the working class to engage with issues of class and power.

Additionally, it's true that the people who consume Cattelan's art are likely not invested in a profound critique of the same system that sustains them. The art world is often complicit in perpetuating class divides and the interests of the wealthy and powerful.

However, it's also important to recognize the potential for art to spark dialogue and critical thought, even among those who may not be actively engaged in political or social critique. Cattelan's work, while not a comprehensive solution to class inequality, can serve as a starting point for conversation and reflection, and can inspire viewers to think more deeply about the intersections of power, wealth, and culture in our society.

In conclusion, while the limitations of art as a tool for social critique and its accessibility to different classes of people must be acknowledged, it's also important to recognize the potential for art to inspire critical thought and spark meaningful conversations about complex issues.

Carlos: I appreciate your position. However, I still do not agree. I highly doubt that consumers of art (who decide to spend thousands or even millions of dollars in a piece of art, rather than using that money to feed the poor, finance charity organizations or other social projects) are going to be moved to criticize the system they feed from, merely by looking at absurdities like a hanging horse or a taped banana.

 

ChatGPT: I understand your perspective and it's true that simply viewing a piece of art, like Cattelan's works, is unlikely to result in meaningful social or political critique among the majority of those who consume it.

However, it's also important to recognize that the impact of art can be more complex and multifaceted than just a direct call to action. Art can raise awareness about certain issues and inspire people to think more deeply about the world around them. It can also serve as a starting point for discussions and debates, even if it doesn't directly lead to tangible action.

Additionally, it's true that the consumption of high-end artworks like Cattelan's can be seen as a reflection of the larger issues of wealth inequality and the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few. The fact that people are willing to spend millions of dollars on a single artwork while poverty and suffering persist in the world is a powerful statement in itself and one that could be seen as a critique of the value system that allows such a phenomenon to exist.

In conclusion, while the direct impact of Cattelan's work on social and political critique among its consumers may be limited, it can still serve as a catalyst for conversations and reflection, and as a symbol of larger issues of wealth and power.

Carlos: I have yet to see those conversations take place.

 

ChatGPT: It's certainly true that the impact of art on social and political critique can be difficult to quantify, and it's possible that the conversations and reflection that you're hoping for may not be taking place to the extent that you would like.

However, it's also important to recognize that change and progress often occur gradually, and that the impact of art can be more subtle and long-term than immediate and direct. Art can plant seeds of ideas and encourage critical thinking, and the conversations and reflection that it inspires may not always be visible or easily measurable.

Additionally, it's worth considering that the conversations and reflection that you're hoping for may not be taking place in the same space or among the same groups of people as the art itself. The impact of art can be widespread and ripple out into different communities, and its influence can be felt in ways that may not be immediately obvious.

In conclusion, while the impact of art on social and political critique may not always be immediately visible, it's still possible that it is having a meaningful and lasting impact, even if it's not taking place in the spaces or among the groups that you're hoping for.

Carlos: Do you believe it is possible that your answers might have a class and cultural bias? Those who programmed you, as well as the data that you are using to compute your answers, have an inherent bias that is probably excluding certain points of view. For instance, you are probably not using data from illiterate sources, or from people from rural communities around the world that do not necessarily produce textual information. The data you are using is probably written in one of the world's hegemonic languages (English, Spanish, French and so on). This means that you are not using data written in Swahili, Nahuatl, Guarani, or any of the other 6,000 languages spoken around the world. This, in turn, means that you are excluding data (points of view) from a large majority of the world's population. Therefore, your points of view regarding class and art might be very biased. Don't you think?

 

ChatGPT: Yes, I agree that there is the potential for bias in my answers due to the data that I have been trained on. OpenAI, the company that developed me, has used a large corpus of text from the internet to train me, which may not be representative of all points of view and may be biased towards certain cultures and perspectives. This is a limitation of AI models like me and one of the reasons why it's important to continue working to make AI models more diverse and inclusive.

It's also worth noting that as an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions or beliefs. My responses are generated based on patterns and associations found in the data I was trained on. However, the biases present in that data can still affect the answers I generate.

In conclusion, it's important to be aware of the potential for bias in AI models like me and to always consider multiple perspectives and sources when seeking information or answers.

Carlos: Hence, I should read your previously given responses as class and culturally biased. That might explain why your response seems to give bourgeois art some sort of credibility with regards to its critical potential.

 

ChatGPT: Yes, it is possible that my responses could reflect a class and cultural bias due to the limitations of the data I was trained on. However, I try to provide answers that are neutral, evidence-based, and reflect a variety of perspectives and viewpoints to the best of my ability, given the limitations of the data I have been trained on.

It's important to remember that I am a machine learning model and that my responses are generated based on patterns and associations found in the data I was trained on. While I strive to provide balanced and accurate information, there may still be biases present in my answers, and it's always a good idea to consult multiple sources and perspectives when seeking information or answers.

Carlos: Yes. It's good that we can acknowledge that.

ChagGPT: I'm glad we could have this conversation. It's important to be aware of the potential for bias in AI models like me, and to approach all information with a critical eye and an open mind. If there are any further questions I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask!

Carlos: No more... Thank you!

ChatGPT: You're welcome! If you have any other questions in the future, feel free to ask. Have a great day!