Staying in the Questions

Abstract

This essay reflects on the relationship between art, artifi cial intelligence, and introspection, centering on how questions, rather than answers, drive creative creation. It starts with a personal experience in Tokyo, where symbols and memories from the subconscious suddenly emerge. In a dialogue with AI, this essay is a reflection on how symbols in art could serve as keys to the hidden and bridge the past, present, and future by combining philosophical and psychological standpoints. The essay examines how intuition, emotional presence, and technical tools add new dimensions to artistic expression and how questions open doors to a deeper understanding of the self and the world. It finally raises questions about the ethical and existential sides of integrating artificial intelligence into creating a work of art. At the heart of this exploration lies the influence of Heidegger, Jung, Freud, and Berger, whose ideas shape the framework of my artistic process. Heidegger’s concept of “being-towards-death” underscores the significance of embracing questions and uncertainties in creative work. Jung’s theories on symbols and individuation provide a lens to view the artistic journey as an integration of the conscious and unconscious. Freud’s notion of sublimation reveals how art can transform repressed emotions into meaningful expressions. Berger’s reflections on the viewer’s gaze remind me that art is a dialogue not just with the self, but also with the audience, inviting them to complete the narrative through their own interpretations. Together, these thinkers guide the philosophical and psychological dimensions of this essay and my practice.