Amalia Foka

Bushwalking (2023)

Bushwalking reimagines the Gardens of Stone National Park in New South Wales, Australia. Through the lens of a StyleGAN2 model, the park's rugged terrain, diverse flora, and unique geological formations are transformed into an infinite, algorithmically generated landscape. 

Trained on a curated collection of photographs taken by seasoned bushwalker Yuri Bolotin, the AI model captures not only the physical attributes of the park but also the essence of exploration and discovery. This digital landscape becomes a canvas for exploring the park's rich biodiversity, geodiversity, and complex history, including its ongoing struggle with coal mining activities. Accompanied by an algorithmically generated soundscape woven with the names of iconic park locations, Bushwalking offers a multi-sensory experience that blurs the lines between the real and the imagined. 

This experimental approach to landscape representation challenges traditional notions of documentation and conservation, prompting reflection on the complex relationship between humans, technology, and the natural world. By harnessing the power of AI to generate novel and unexpected variations of the landscape, Bushwalking reveals the hidden depths and unexplored corners of the park, encouraging a deeper appreciation of its natural wonders. The artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the park's fragility in the face of ongoing environmental threats, urging viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between human activity and the preservation of our natural heritage.

Title: Bushwalking

Artist: Amalia Foka

Year: 2023

Duration: 11 min 09 sec

Format: .mp4, H.264

Resolution: 1536 x 512

Aspect Ratio: 3:1

Sound: Stereo

Color: Color

Frame Rate: 60 fps

Creation Method: Frames generated using StyleGAN2, then compiled into video format.

Acknowledgments:

Yuri Bolotin: Provided the foundational photo collection that served as the training data for the StyleGAN2 model, essential to the creation of Bushwalking.

Rea Bolotin: Offered valuable feedback and insights during my residency at BigCi (Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives), contributing to the refinement and enhancement of the work.