Sihwa Park

Diffusion TV (2025) Diffusion TV is an experimental and interactive interface that invites audiences to explore the hidden processes of AI through a nostalgic CRT TV interface, allowing them to engage directly with diffusion models, the technology behind today’s most sophisticated AI-generated images and sounds. Inspired by Nam June Paik’s Egg Grows (1984–1989), which depicts the illusion of an egg growing through a series of progressively larger CRT TVs, Diffusion TV uses the old CRT TV to reveal the hidden process of AI denoising, transforming the complexity of AI diffusion models into a tangible, interactive experience. The work allows viewers to directly engage with the transformative process of turning chaotic data into recognizable images and sounds by adjusting the TV’s antenna and knobs, fostering a deeper connection between human interaction and technological transformation. Diffusion TV explores how technology can shape our understanding of the natural world. Using the CRT TV, once an emblem of cutting-edge innovation but now a metaphor for obsolescence, the work mirrors the fragility of endangered species and asks what is preserved and what is lost in the pursuit of technological advancement. Through a more experiential, interactive understanding of AI’s inner workings, Diffusion TV encourages audiences to contemplate the interconnected relationships between humanity, technology, and nature. This project was undertaken thanks in part to funding from the Connected Minds Program, supported by Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Grant #CFREF-2022-00010. https://sihwapark.com/Diffusion-TV