Realising AI Imagination Through Artworks
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Jogja is holding an international-level exhibition titled ‘Post-machine Algorithm’ at the RJ Katamsi Gallery. The exhibition responds to art, humanity, and creativity in the current era of artificial intelligence (AI).
ISI Jogja Rector Irwandi stated that the works in this exhibition, largely showcasing fine art, aim to highlight human strength amidst the onslaught of AI. He argued that creativity ultimately originates from human ideas, with AI serving only as a tool to execute them.
‘For that reason, we are displaying various types of works that explore different possibilities of artistic exploration to demonstrate the power of human ideas,’ he told reporters at ISI Jogja, Sewon, Bantul, on Sunday (21/6/2026).
Irwandi noted that the exhibition features fine art, craft, and audio-visual works. According to him, this diversity demonstrates that artists are prepared to face the disruption caused by AI.
‘We certainly continue to anticipate developments in AI. So, if we look at the works, they are diverse, and this shows various future potentials for development,’ he said.
Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD) at ISI Jogja, Muhammad Sholahuddin, said that AI is currently developing very rapidly. ISI Jogja therefore organised this exhibition to showcase how artists respond to the rapid advancement of AI.
‘So, the term post-machine means how we respond after this,’ he stated.
Sholahuddin added that many of his students are already using AI. However, this usage is limited to searching for ideas in their creative work.
‘For example, in the interior design study programme, we have an assignment where students must use AI from the outset. It is used for brainstorming. So, when students are looking for ideas, they are assisted by AI, and they become more creative with many ideas supported by AI,’ he explained.
Students then develop these ideas through other prompts. Sholahuddin gave an example: after going through a verbal process in Chat GPT, they perform rendering using Dreamina or Gemini.
‘So, there are many prompts in AI that design students utilise, so that their final process, rendering and so on, can be better. Here, AI really helps students, but once again, the pilot remains the human, the student. AI is merely a tool that assists them,’ he said.
Curator of the ‘Post-machine Algorithm’ exhibition, Nadiyah Tunnikmah, added that the event involves 167 participants consisting of students, lecturers, alumni, and international participants from countries such as Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and Australia.
‘There are 23 participants from various countries, 30 participants are lecturers, and seven are ISI Jogja alumni. The rest are students from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design,’ she stated.
The exhibited works come from various study programmes, including fine art, craft, design, conservation, and arts management. All are interpretations of ‘Post-Machine Algorithm’, reading the relationship between humans and machines in the post-digital landscape.
‘Artworks are not merely positioned as final products, but as processes that store intuition, life experiences, collective memory, and traces of humanity that cannot be fully replicated by machines,’ she said.
Nadiyah added that the exhibition runs until 26 June 2026. It is open to the public and free of charge.
One visitor, Jaya (31), admitted he came at the invitation of a friend who is an ISI Jogja alumnus. He found the works on display to be varied and interesting.
‘There are many things on display, product designs, paintings, and also craft works. I think it is interesting, especially as it responds to the rapid advancement of AI,’ he said.