The Virtual Body and AI Mediated Intimacy: New Forms of Presence in Contemporary Art p. 94-107

Abstract

The expansion of technology and the integration of artificial intelligence into the visual arts have generated new modes of representation and understanding of art. This article explores how virtual identities, avatars, and AI based digital entities are transforming notions of presence and intimacy in contemporary art. Starting from recent works that utilize machine learning, the analysis highlights how these technologies destabilize traditional distinctions between the physical and digital body. A central aspect of this research is the way AI influences the relationship between the artist, the artwork, and the audience, generating participatory and immersive aesthetic experiences. Works by artists such as Memo Akten demonstrate how AI animated avatars can function as identity extensions, mediums of selfexploration, or even simulacra. In this context, we ask: can a digital presence mediate or intensify artistic intimacy? How does AI redefine the boundaries between the authentic and the artificial, the real and the simulated?