Refik Anadol to Present Smithsonian Dreams AI Installation at Smithsonian Castle on July 17-18

On July 17 and 18, renowned media artist Refik Anadol will unveil his latest monumental AI installation, Smithsonian Dreams, at the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C. This immersive performance will showcase a stunning blend of light, sound, and visuals, reinterpreting 200 years of the Smithsonian's collections.

Transforming the Smithsonian with AI

Anadol's innovative project utilizes a custom AI system that processes millions of digitized specimens, manuscripts, photographs, artworks, and scientific records from the Smithsonian's vast archives. The data is transformed into dynamic projections on the Castle’s facade using a UMAP (Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection) algorithm.

“For me, data is a form of memory,” Anadol stated, emphasizing the significance of the Smithsonian's repository. He added, “Smithsonian Dreams asks what might emerge if that vast memory could become dynamic, if the Castle itself could learn from its collections, reflect upon them and dream through them.”

Previous Works and Public Reception

Anadol is known for his previous installation, Unsupervised, which captivated audiences for nearly a year at the Museum of Modern Art. His work at MoMA attracted approximately 3 million visitors, averaging about 38 minutes spent in front of the installation.

While some critics, like Ben Davis from Artnet, may view Anadol's visualizations as extravagant, the general public is expected to embrace Smithsonian Dreams. The installation promises to be a significant cultural event, blending history, science, and art in a unique, engaging manner.