LINDA DOUNIA: FLORE PURDUE
Part of a series of articles & interviews released digitally that were first published in the print edition of the Bright Moments Quarterly that was distributed at Bright Moments Paris in Paris, France in February, 2024.
Chat GPT: Linda Dounia’s work is a testament to the evolving landscape of art, where the brush and canvas yield negotiate space with algorithms and digital interfaces. She does not simply use traditional mark-making tools alongside AI, code, and computer drawing tools; she collaborates with them and examines their interplay, making room for a fusion of human intention and machine unpredictability. To her, this is not just an exercise in showcasing technological capabilities. It’s about creating a new language of art in a world increasingly mediated by screens and code. In her pieces, one finds a blend of the abstract and the surreal, echoing past art movements like Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism, yet distinctly marked by the digital fingerprint of the 21st century where automation and randomness find new meaning.
Rebeiz's portfolio is a cultural document capturing the essence of our times—a period defined by digital interconnectedness, techno-capitalism, and what gets left behind in our quest for progress. As we navigate this era, her art serves as both a mirror and a map, reflecting our current state, flaws and all, and suggesting pathways for the future of artistic exploration.
Each series in her portfolio—be it "AI in Bloom," "Once Upon A Garden," or "Techno Morte"—is a narrative in itself, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the societal impacts of technology. "AI in Bloom" uses AI to create floral forms that exist between the organic and the algorithmic, provoking thoughts on the artificiality of the natural in our digitized world. "Once Upon A Garden" offers a dystopian reflection on environmental loss, while "Techno Morte" revives the still-life tradition with a digital heartbeat.
The dialogical nature of Linda Dounia Rebeiz's art can be contextualized within the historical evolution of computer art. This approach echoes a significant shift in the art world, one that began with the advent of computer technology in the 1960s. Her work represents a further evolution of this trend. By incorporating AI and digital tools into her creative process, she not only uses technology to create art but also invites it to become a co-creator and a part of the conversation. Through her approach, the boundaries between creator, creation, and audience become increasingly blurred. For her, technology is not just a medium or a tool; it is an active participant in the artistic dialogue.
In the lineage of artists who have continually pushed the boundaries of their mediums, Linda Dounia stands as a modern alchemist, transmuting the binary codes and pixels of the digital world into something deeply human and profoundly artistic. Her art is a testament to the consistent transformative power of art in this new digital age, reminding us that even in a world of algorithms and automation, human creativity finds its way to express the inexpressible.
