Ai-Da Robot (Aidan Meller)

Self-Portrait by Ai-Da Robot

Ai-Da pushes the concept of a self-portrait into new ground, through her portrayal of a self where there is no self. As a humanoid, Ai-Da does not have selfhood in the same way as a human, and yet she still paints a self-portrait that continues in the long history of this genre. Many artists over the centuries have painted their own image. Ai-Da’s self-portrait is a reflection of our digital lives, where vast troves of collected information create Digital Doubles of ourselves online. As we continue to provide all this data, we move towards a version of Ai-Da’s self-portrait – where our digital footprints reveal so much about us, breaking down notions of privacy and agency. 

There is something unsettling about a self-portrait by someone who doesn’t have a self. Ai-Da’s self-portrait turns the art historical construct of the self-portrait on its head, and encourages humanity to look again at itself through this new lens. How do we build a notion of ourselves in an age when we are integrating technology increasingly into our lives? 

Ai-Da’s artwork provides multiple layers for us to consider and reflect on. Something that weaves through her art is her encouragement for us to observe ourselves, our futures, and the ethical considerations we are forced to confront in our rapidly changing world. As we get to grips with the notion of a robot’s self-portrait, we simultaneously consider our own autonomy and selfhood in a period when our boundaries with technology are blurring and shifting. 

Self-Portrait has been showcased internationally, most recently at the Grunwald Gallery, Sidney and Lois Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design at Indiana University, USA.