What happens when human creativity meets artificial intelligence? The multimedia exhibition Metamorphoses of Art 2.0, now open at the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics at CTU (CIIRC CTU), explores exactly that. The project merges classical visual art with cutting-edge technology and raises questions about the boundaries between human and machine creativity.
The exhibition builds on last year’s successful showcase Metamorphoses of Art: Klára Sedlo and Artificial Intelligence in Dialogue, organized by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at VSB–Technical University of Ostrava in the FEIKA Gallery.
“Following the success of last year’s exhibition, we’re taking the concept even further. Whereas last time we focused on a confrontation between original oil paintings and AI interpretations, this year we’ve expanded both the technological scope and the list of partners. The aim is to show how modern technologies can enrich visual art and to spark discussion about the limits of human and machine creativity,” said Radek Martinek, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at VSB-TUO.
When Paintings Speak the Language of Algorithms
How was the exhibition created? It began with twelve digitized original paintings by Klára Sedlo. These surrealist works, inspired by dreams and imagination, were processed by AI, which generated descriptive texts for each one. Based on those descriptions, new reproductions were created using various generative AI models. At the same time, students from art schools received the same texts as prompts to create their own paintings.
“We’re comparing how AI reproduced my paintings versus how young artists interpreted the same texts. Visitors can guess who created which piece. We’re also displaying my original works. I personally reflect on which aspects—like composition—the AI managed to replicate or mimic. For this year’s exhibition, I selected especially complex pieces,” says artist Klára Sedlo.
And the outcome? “Some of the paintings were quite a challenge for the AI, especially composition-wise. Like last year, it often failed to capture essential human or emotional nuances—subtle, but crucial to the work’s meaning,” Sedlo adds.
“For the children, it was a unique experience—working from prompts not written by a person, but by an algorithm. Still, their personality, imagination, and sense of color and form came through clearly in their final works,” explains Alena Zupková from the Vladislav Vančura Art School in Háj ve Slezsku.
Art in a Digital World
The installation is complemented by audiovisual compositions and multimedia presentations that broaden the exploration of the intersection between visual art and digital technology. “We also developed a web application that acts as a digital twin of the exhibition. Visitors can browse the works online, play AI-generated descriptions, and take part in a survey about their perception of AI-generated art,” said Robert Šamárek from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Technology, Creativity, and Collaboration
The exhibition was created in collaboration with the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics at CTU, which provided the venue and technical support.
“Connecting technology with art, building bridges between scientists and artists, and exploring the boundaries between science, art, and algorithms is something we’re deeply interested in at CIIRC CTU. That’s why we joined this project with great enthusiasm, and I believe the exhibition will be an inspiration to all who visit,” says Ondřej Velek, Director of CIIRC CTU.
The exhibition is open to the public until January 4, 2026, in the atrium of the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics at CTU (Jugoslávských partyzánů 1580/3, Prague 10, Entrance B1).
Metamorphoses of Art 2.0 is a collaborative project by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at VSB–Technical University of Ostrava, the Faculty of Economics at VSB-TUO, the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics at CTU, and the Vladislav Vančura Art School from Háj ve Slezsku.
