Shakespe(AI)re
AI-Assisted art with Artist processing
work in progress
Why didn't Shakespeare write a single Wreath of Sonnets? Shakespeare likely did not write a Wreath of Sonnets because the rigid structure of interconnected sonnets may not have aligned with his preference for thematic diversity and creative flexibility.
ChatGPT 4
The Shakespe(AI)re Project is an artistic-scientific video installation in the realm of AI-Assisted art with artist-driven processing. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies, it bridges microbiology and medieval poetry. This project explores human relationships through artistic means by examining the processes of interaction and communication among bacteria.
In this forward-thinking artistic exploration, the project delves into the uncharted territory of poetry in the age of artificial intelligence, questioning the very definition of poetic creation. "Shakespe(AI)re" envisions a future where AI transcends its role as a mere tool and becomes a collaborative partner, shaping the evolution of poetic form and expression. The artist acts as a conduit, navigating the complex interplay between human emotional intelligence and the computational prowess of AI, fostering a symbiotic relationship that unlocks new creative possibilities. This exploration seeks to define the emerging landscape of poetry, where algorithmic inspiration and human artistry converge, prompting a re-evaluation of authorship and the very essence of what it means to create in the era of AI.
Shakespe(AI)re continues two major themes in my creative work. The first theme, scientific research in Bio-art, culminated in the publication of my book, "Contemporary Practices in Bio-art: When a Tree Becomes an Artwork," released by Cambridge Scholars Publishing in 2023. The second theme focuses on the study and reinterpretation of medieval acrostic poetry, which began with the PIYUT CODING Generative art project in 2023.
Shakespeare is renowned for his 154 sonnets—a poetic form originating in the 13th century. Shakespeare’s sonnets are written in iambic pentameter with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, comprising three quatrains and a concluding rhymed couplet known as the "sonnet key." Scholars consider the 14-line structure ideal for expressing a complete, logically developed poetic idea. Poets often extend their sonnet-writing into larger works known as Sonnet Crowns or Coronas.
A Sonnet Crown is a complex poetic cycle based on the acrostic principle, classified as a "strict" form of poetry. It consists of 15 sonnets, with the final one—called the Magistral—written first, serving as the thematic and structural foundation of the cycle. The Magistral provides the opening and closing lines for the subsequent sonnets, creating a circular interplay of lines. Constructing a Sonnet Crown requires exceptional skill and ingenuity, making it one of the most demanding poetic forms.
The sonnet has taken deep root across many languages, inspiring new generations of poets. By the late 20th century, the advent of digital art introduced avant-garde creations such as cyber- or hyper-sonnet crowns, demonstrating that this ancient poetic form is not only alive but thriving in contemporary art. Upon discovering that, despite his prolific output, Shakespeare never wrote a Sonnet Crown, I resolved to rectify this gap.
For the Magistral, I selected Shakespeare's Sonnet 144, which depicts the poet’s entangled relationships with a dark-haired woman and a fair-haired young man—allegories of the eternal human struggle between the forces of good and evil.
While researching Bio-art for my book, I studied microbial behavior in Prof. Noam Stern-Ginossar’s microbiology lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. Using microscope-generated images and videos, I observed the intricate dynamics of microbial interactions—far beyond mere symbiosis or competition. These behaviors, with their dramatic, tragic, or sacrificial elements, possess a scale of emotional intensity akin to Shakespearean drama. Inspired by the parallels between Shakespeare's poetic depiction of human conflicts and microbial interactions, I sought to illustrate human relationships through the lives of bacteria.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT 4.0, Gemini, and DeepAI, I "completed" the 14 missing sonnets to form a Sonnet Crown titled "Two Loves I Have of Comfort and Despair," effectively becoming an inadvertent “co-author” with Shakespeare. Hundreds of verses were refined to match the rules and cadence of Shakespearean sonnetry. With Suno AI, I composed music and selected vocal performances for the new sonnets. Using MidJourney, I created bacterial imagery, while Luna and Vivago programs helped me craft short video reels, ultimately integrating them into the project.
Shakespe(AI)re unites poetry and biology, offering a novel perspective on the interplay of science and art. The project exemplifies a hybrid practice where science informs art, and vice versa, training AI to "think" at a high creative level. The result is the creation of works previously achievable only by exceptionally gifted human creators.