Low Five, 2023, Wood, spray paint, epoxy, & Digital Inkjet Prints on Fabric, dimensions variable
Portrait of Jon Malis by Christopher Lonegan, 2021
Jon Malis is an interdisciplinary artist investigating the representation and display of visual content, focusing on how various methods of presentation and production can alter the viewer’s perception, interpretation, and experience of photography and visual culture. His current works seek to provide a physical definition of digital photography, creating images and sculptural forms based upon how computer color and digital processing unconsciously transforms imagery.
He has received numerous awards and recognitions such as the National Photography Award from the von Lebig Art Center (Naples, FL), DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Artist Fellowship grants, semi-final nominations for the Lumen International Prize in Digital Art, Janet & Walter Sondheim and the Trawick prizes and a Panavision New Filmmaker's Grant. His work has been exhibited extensively in the Baltimore/Washington, DC region, nationally, and internationally; reviewed in the Washington Post, City Paper, and Naples Daily News; and featured on Maryland Public TV and PBS. Recently, he has participated in residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, Otis College of Art & Design (Los Angeles, CA) and the Slade School of Art in London.
He is an Associate Professor and Program Director for Photography at Loyola University (Baltimore, MD). He received a Master of Fine Arts in Film & Electronic Media from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from The George Washington University.
Jon Malis — Photography
Low Five
In a world seduced by the allure of technological transcendence, "Low Five" stands as a visual dialogue that interrogates the prevailing myth of AI perfection. This contemporary work peels back the digital veneer, inviting viewers to confront the imperfections and fallibilities that persist within even the most advanced artificial intelligence systems. Through a collection of hauntingly surreal images, the series unveils AI-generated hands with missing fingers and subtle deformities, serving as a poignant critique of the inherent limitations that persist in our quest for algorithmic flawlessness.
In this epoch of exponential technological progress, society often finds itself entangled in the alluring embrace of AI-driven advancements. Promises of perfection, efficiency, and infallibility have fueled a collective narrative that neglects the very essence of human experience—the beauty and growth born from imperfection. "Low Five" beckons viewers to reevaluate their perception of perfection, to reflect upon the delicate dance between human ingenuity and the unfathomable complexities of nature.
Each image within the series is a testament to the untamed intricacies of creation. The absence of fingers and the presence of nuanced deformities serve as an artistic metaphor for the gaps in our AI-driven aspirations. The images do not merely display technical glitches; rather, they mirror the unpredictable nature of existence itself. By deliberately exposing these digital fractures, the work encourages us to reevaluate the blind faith we place in AI's capabilities, reminding us that innovation should not eclipse our understanding of the organic and the genuine.
"Low Five" speaks to the symbiotic relationship between humanity and technology. It underscores the necessity of embracing the imperfect human touch as an irreplaceable force in the realm of creation. By holding a mirror to AI's developmental journey, the series aims to prompt discussions on ethics, responsibility, and the unchecked pursuit of technological dominance.
Ultimately, this artistic endeavor serves as a contemplative sanctuary where the boundaries between perfection and imperfection blur, allowing viewers to introspect on the essence of creation. "Low Five" invites us to acknowledge that within the realm of AI, as within ourselves, it is in the gaps, the errors, and the incompleteness that the true tapestry of innovation and progress is woven.[1]
[1] OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Version 3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com