Abstract

This thesis explores the characteristics of “AI Cinema” through an analysis of Refik Anadol’s works. Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in moving image art challenges the existing film theory and aesthetics and redefines the conventional boundaries of archival use in visual art. Drawing from an interdisciplinary approach, this study analyzes two installations, “Data Tunnel” and “Machine Memoirs v.2” from Anadol’s Machine Memoirs: Space exhibition, to illustrate the transformative role of AI in reimagining cinematic aesthetics and expression. The first chapter concentrates on the artwork “Data Tunnel,” delves into how AI facilitates new ways of seeing and challenges traditional concepts of visibility and invisibility in art. The second chapter extends analysis from “Data Tunnel” to “Machine Memoirs v.2” and focuses on the reconstitution of archives, highlighting AI’s role in redefining archival content from mere narrative support to foundational material for artistic creation. The concluding segment synthesizes the insights from the earlier chapters to articulate the emergence of AI cinema as a new cinematic form. It identifies the departure from traditional cinematic storytelling and aesthetics, fostering a dynamic, algorithm-driven cinematic experience. Through this exploration, the thesis aims to contribute to the broader understanding of cinema’s evolution in the digital age, particularly focusing on the role of AI in forging new forms of narrative and aesthetic expression. By focusing on AI cinema, the study adds to the limited but growing academic discourse in this area, providing a clear analysis of its unique characteristics and importance in the modern cinematic landscape.