Yu Tsukada | The Future of Artificial Platonism in Generative AI──Lev Manovich, Emanuele Arielli's 'Artificial Aesthetics: Generative AI, Art, Visual Media' / Part 1
This article reviews a book that positions generative AI within the long history of aesthetics and art, analyzing its significance from media theory and philosophy.Summary
This article is the first part of a book review introducing 'Artificial Aesthetics: Generative AI, Art, Visual Media' (2026) by Lev Manovich and Emanuele Arielli. The authors attempt to re-contextualize the modern 'AI frenzy' of generative AI within the broader historical scope of aesthetics and artistic creation. Manovich approaches the topic from media theory and computer science, while Arielli contributes from the perspectives of aesthetics and art philosophy, with each writing separate chapters. The discussion starts from foundational points, making it accessible to all readers. The article highlights Arielli's question of "What is beauty?" and Manovich's systematic five-stage model that places generative AI within the history of artistic production: from creating with tools, using auxiliary devices, mechanical recording, to simulation, and finally to generative AI as prediction. This framework extends Manovich's theories from his earlier works and provides a valuable perspective for practitioners to contemplate generative AI. The article concludes by stating it will continue in Part 2.
(Source：artscape)