What is art? Can AI generated images be art?

Now, I’m a maximalist for “is it art” questions. There’s a universe where it’s possible, sure.

But art exists in a context. Conceptual art is made of context. And sometimes — like, say, generative AI in early 2026 — the context is rancid. And the concept is rancid too.

Art students at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks are doing what art students everywhere do — set out on the quest to be more of a dick than the other art students, and get a grade for being a dick.

And we have this year’s unambiguous winner: Graham Granger.

Another UAF student, Nick Dwyer, held an exhibition on the campus: “Shadow Searching: ChatGPT psychosis”. Dwyer’s artist statement explains that this collection of AI slop printouts:

explores identity, character narrative creation and crafting false memories of relationships in an interactive role digitally crafted before, during and after a state of AI psychosis.

Now, you might read that and think: this guy’s a bit of a dick.

Our noble hero Granger protested this slop getting a University-approved gallery exhibition. What did he do? He ripped the printouts off the wall and ate them. [Sun Star]

Dwyer posted about his terrible misfortune to Reddit’s r/aiwars forum, as if they’d take his side: [Reddit, archive]

my friend was there took pics of it as it was happening police took the guy away in handcuffs. Hazmat had to be called to sanitize the area. WTF! stay safe friends antis are unhinged and becoming concerning/unlawful.

It is true that AI slop is a hazardous material and should be disposed of. Dwyer deleted his Reddit post when every comment in response said this was good and called Granger a hero. e.g.: [Reddit]

god i hope you feel horrible, knowing a guy eating your “art” was more artistic than anything you’ll ever make.

Dwyer sent ARTnews a photo of himself, deeply aggrieved at this disrespect for his failed bid as champion art dick. [ARTnews]

The UAF academic misconduct policy bars students submitting AI output without authorisation. So this pile of slop was authorised from the start, not just when it was put up in the gallery. You might think that warrants protest. [UAF]

Granger was charged with criminal mischief in the fifth degree, damage under $250 — note that AI output can’t be copyrighted, so it has a value of zero. Granger will be up before the judge tomorrow, January 20th. Is an artist without a rap sheet in the name of art even an artist? [Charges Filed, PDF, p27, archive of 18 January 2026]

Granger has performed a work of art trouncing all comers. Specifically, the slopmonger Dwyer.

Granger’s great work has resonated around the world. And he’s on the film and performing arts track at UAF, not even fine arts. We salute you, sir.

• Video — Podcast

Ja, Trip Hop gibt es immer noch. Und der klingt heute so.

A round up of the new generation of artists, songwriters and producers taking the sonic template of trip hop from its ’90s origins into the future – from genre traditionalists a.s.o., to hypnagogic auteurs like James K to the experimental sonics of the extended West Mineral crew…

(Direktlink)

Tracklist:
00:00 Montana – Eternal Wait Time
04:07 Th Blisks – Enchancity
08:31 Tryphème – Kalea Dream
15:42 Naemi – Couch Angel W/ Arad Acid & Huerco S.
21:38 Dregs – Swampy
27:30 Saffron Bloom – Labyrinth Of Losses
32:51 Hoodie X James K – Scorpio
40:14 Car Culture – Coping Mechanism
45:02 Stone – Hand Holder
49:02 Now Always Fades – Into The Doldrums
53:00 Hysterical Love Project – Oil Slicks (Song For The Spirals)
56:18 a.s.o. – My Baby’s Got It Out For Me
1:00:13 Acopia – Talk About It
1:04:11 James K – Blinkmoth (July Mix)
1:10:15 Dummy – Blue Dada

Ich habe in jüngeren Jahrzehnten ziemlich viel Zeit und später dann ein wenig Geld darin investiert, um mir die Kugelboxen LK 6 – Heliradio zu besorgen. Nicht weil ich glaubte, dass diese einen außergewöhnlichen hätten, sondern weil das Design der Dinger einfach großartig war. Ich lackierte sie in blau und hing sie auf Kopfhöhe an die Decke, wo sie so lange hingen, bis sich die Pappmasse, aus denen der Korpus bestand, auflöste. Tolle Teile, so rein optisch.

Heute lernte ich, dass es in der DDR daneben auch Boxen gab, die eben doch durch ihren Klang überzeugen konnten – und das ganz offensichtlich auch heute noch tun. Die Lautsprecher-Boxen der Baureihe BR 25 und 26.

Die Lautsprecher-Boxen der Baureihe BR 25 und 26 gelten bis heute als kleine Meisterwerke für den Hörgenuss im Wohnzimmer, weil sie vor allem im Bereich Basswiedergabe hervorragend performen. Entwickelt im VEB Musikelectronic Geithain im heutigen Sachsen, sind sie bis heute mehr als gefragt. Wir sprechen mit dem Erfinder von damals und lassen in einem Leipziger Hörstudio checken, warum sie qualitativ so hochwertig und deshalb gleichbleibend beliebt sind.

*Embed vom MDR deaktiviert*. -.-
Müsst ihr hier direkt klicken.

(Direktlink)

For anyone born in the late 1980s or the decades before, the compact disc (CD) was once the most popular mode of playing music and for a time, sharing digital files. Though the format has all but become obsolete, replaced by downloadable mp3s and eventual audio streaming, many music lovers still prefer the physical touch – tactility – of the thin, glistening metallic wheel and the art-covered cases that contain them, not to mention the curated nature of only having 20 or so tracks on one disc. Today, it can feel as though there are too many immediately available options and less emphasis on unexpected discovery; finding a new favorite song among those that are further down the list of an album’s anthology.

Many still maintain carefully classified collections displayed extensively like books on a shelf within their living rooms. While the cassette tape-enabled Walkman marked a paradigm shift in how people listen to music – allowing them to do so on the move and on their own – it was the CD-equipped Discman that made this advancement stick.

Looking to recapture the awe of that moment, all while integrating the latest technological innovations, boutique British audio brand FiiO has just released the new DM15 R2R portable CD player. Sturdier and more cubical than its sleekly contoured and streamlined Sony predecessor, the device resembles the configuration of a record player, adding to its nostalgic appearance. It remains lightweight and easy to carry in a bag or even a large pocket. The tempered-glass lid – displaying the CD’s mesmerizing spin – is enclosed by a meticulously sewn-together leather case, available in a generous range of trend-conscious, moodier tones.

This more substantial form hints at its enhanced performance; a degree of sound quality that isn’t necessarily derived from the CD per se. DM15 R2R’s playback is accentuated by a high-fidelity R2R digital-to-analog conversion. Enhanced amplification – even through its especially robust Bluetooth transmission – delivers a noticeable boost: 310 mW + 310 mW. Its outputs rise to 1150 mW + 1150 mW. The player’s custom R2R DAC four-channel 24-bit resistor-array converter is built from 192 precision thin-film resistors (48 per channel). Each was selected for 0.1% tolerance and ultra-low temperature drift. DM15 R2R recaptures the quality of the CD but with the added bonus of a present-day hi-fi system.

As the retro-tech trend continues to sweep the industry, this device was developed with an eye toward the past and one toward the future.

To learn more about the DM15 R2R portable CD player by FiiO, visit fiio.com.

Photography courtesy of FiiO.

Ganz fluffig inn die Woche starten. Heute mit dem 164. Montagssorbet mit Laut & Luise. Serviert von Brigade.

ür die Ewigwachgebliebenen zum Feierabendbier, für die Frühaufsteher als Seelenfutter zum Wochenbeginn: Montagssorbet mit Laut & Luise. Alles erlaubt, was gut tut und Gedanken kreisen lässt, nur der Name ist Programm: cremig, fluffig und ganz schön weich.