elusive reality
- Miles Astray
- Jan 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 11
reality's phase transition from liquid to vapor
Anyone been to reality lately? I mean, in theory, that place is absolute and omnipresent. But it seems quite optional in practice. Optical illusions and biases, make-up and Botox, marketing and fake news, lies and exxxaggerations. And then there is the tri-state border between reality and imagination and art, which has always been liquid, but is now evaporating as supercharged AI brings it to a boil. Read on for an interview, an exhibition, and content examining our increasingly elusive human reality.
Digital Photographer interview
Who really needs AI, asks the latest issue of Digital Photographer, and offers tips on how to create AI-like photos. We went pretty fast from photography-mimicking AI to AI-mimicking photography, but I guess switcheroo is a game for two. Given that F L A M I N G O N E's surreal look wasn't premeditated (unless it was by the flamingo), we talked about my documentary approach to photography. Read on for an excerpt:
You described your submission as a ‘jab at AI and its ethical implications’. Can you elaborate on what you meant?
It highlights how easily AI-generated content can deceive viewers. Recently, we’ve seen AI-generated images winning photography competitions because the juries were unaware of their origins. This raises ethical concerns about authenticity, especially as the digital landscape becomes increasingly saturated with photorealistic AI images. The technology has seen exponential development in the past few years, allowing anyone to create convincing visuals. This abundance of false imagery blurs the line between reality and fabrication. My satirical entry into an AI competition – a genuine photo mistaken for AI-generated – underscored this issue.
What are your thoughts on the trend where photography aims to achieve the visual style of AI imagery?
One of the most amazing aspects of reality is its sometimes unbelievable nature. This interplay between reality and our human interpretation of it fascinates me. That’s why I’m currently organising a travelling exhibition titled ‘Can’t make that up,’ featuring images that encourage
viewers to question their view of reality.
Do you believe your submission has influenced the public’s perception of AI in photography?
I hope that’s the case. At the moment, there is a lot of attention on the topic. We must see to it that the societal risks of AI, like the dissemination of misinformation, don’t outweigh its benefits.
EMOP exhibition, Berlin: RIVALS
I'm very glad to participate in an important and not-been-done-before exhibition that is part of the European Month of Photography in Berlin: RIVALS. Curated by Boris Eldagsen, the show pits photography against AI-promptography to show the possibilities and limitations of each medium. Like the work of an artist with multiple sclerosis who can best visualize the feeling of her condition through AI. Or the work of a photographer who captures the very process of photography by letting the sun burn his films. I'll be there for the inauguration on March 1, and I hope to see some of you!
related content
Abandoning all hopes of clarity and steering us deeper into the mist of elusive realities, I pulled one word, one line, one passage, and one essay from the archive.
 A R C H I T R I C K T U R E |  SEE |
 SOULSCAPES |  Analog Hiccups |
I'm personally a big fan of reality, but some of these other places aren't so bad either.
So long,
Miles