Silk Road
Chapter 01
Istanbul
20-22 Sep
2024
The Emergence
of AI Art
Silk Road is a global event series designed to showcase art in iconic cultural locations while fostering meaningful connections between artists, collectors, builders, and enthusiasts. The inaugural chapter took place in Istanbul, Turkey, in September 2024.
The 3-day event served as an open, dynamic space for exchanging ideas, and showcasing and celebrating creativity. This resulted in dialogues on the intersection of art and technology, with AI being the focus.
Videos from the chapter
Silk Road Chapter 01 / Istanbul — Highlights from the first chapter
Art, panels and parties
The event began at Hope Alkazar, a community space by Nike, with a surprise for participating artists: an immersive presentation of their work projected across the venue walls. This set the creative energy for the rest of the weekend.
The official opening took place at Evin Art Gallery, a cornerstone of Istanbul's art scene. Founded in 1996, the gallery continues the artistic legacy of Nuri Iyem. During Chapter 01, works by Linda Dounia Rebeiz, Niceaunties, Elmanmansimov, Sheldrick, and Andrea Ciulu were featured. Panel discussions moderated by Alejandro Cartagena provided engaging conversations about AI and art, setting the tone for the days ahead.
at Hope Alkazar
Bosphorus and more art
Attendees gathered for brunch in a small, local cafe called Beca, where Simon Hudson from Botto and PEPE from CyborgDAO shared their insights.
The day continued at Backyard, a glasshouse venue, with presentations by Roope Rainisto, Andrea Ciulu, and David Sheldrick. A standout moment was Rainisto's text-to-story breakdown, which can be seen as a significant advancement in AI art.
We embarked on a yacht tour along the Bosphorus Strait, which is a natural waterway that divides Europe and Asia. This scenic boat ride was the perfect setting for networking and informal discussions, set against Istanbul's iconic skyline.
The evening concluded with a contemporary take on traditional Turkish cuisine at Veranda Pera. Attendees enjoyed mezze and lively conversations, underscoring the event's focus on connection and collaboration.
at Veranda Pera
Wrapping up in style
The final day began with a traditional Turkish breakfast at Biz Istanbul, offering a serene setting to conclude the talks for the chapter.
We concluded the weekend with talks by Simon Hudson, Linda Dounia Rebeiz, noper, and Orkhan Mammadov. Collectors Georg Bak, EOJ, and Phantom Scribbs shared their experiences and perspectives on collecting AI art.
at BIZ Istanbul
Looking back
Reflecting on the first Chapter of Silk Road, we feel that the Istanbul edition was successful in its intent. By bringing together diverse voices in the AI art world – from creators to collectors and from theorists to practitioners – we created a space for exchange and further collaboration. Istanbul, with its rich history and position at the crossroads of cultures, served as an ideal location for this debut, since it mirrors our aim to connect different worlds.
Everything combined, the weekend highlighted the potential of AI to create and redefine art and the importance of curiosity, experimentation and community in driving innovation.