Christie's to Host First AI-Only Art Auction

Christie's, the renowned auction house, is preparing to host its first auction dedicated solely to AI-generated art. The event, titled 'Augmented Intelligence,' will take place at Christie's Rockefeller Center galleries in New York from February 20 to March 5, 2025. This marks the first time a major auction house has organized a sale exclusively featuring AI-created artworks.

The auction will showcase over 20 pieces from a variety of artists known for their work at the intersection of art and technology. Notable contributors include Refik Anadol, Harold Cohen, Pindar Van Arman, Holly Herndon, Mat Dryhurst, Alexander Reben, and Claire Silver. The collection spans multiple mediums, including sculptures, paintings, prints, digital-native works, and interactive installations.

One of the highlights of the auction is Pindar Van Arman's 'Emerging Faces,' a series of paintings created by two AI agents that collaborate to depict human faces. This series is expected to fetch between $180,000 and $250,000. Another significant piece is Alexander Reben's live painting robot, which will create art in real-time as bids increase, starting at $100.

The auction has sparked controversy, with critics pointing out that many AI tools used in art creation are trained on existing artworks without the original artists' consent. An open letter demanding the cancellation of the auction has gathered over 1,800 signatures. Despite the criticism, Christie's emphasizes that the AI is used to enhance the artists' existing practices, with data often trained on the artists' own inputs.