Half of What You See, None of What You Hear

[ Limited Editions of 12 ]

Half of What You See, None of What You Hear explores the cultural obsession with depth, progression, and the unknown, using AI-generated imagery to create a visual metaphor for humanity’s relentless pursuit of exploration. The series begins with photorealistic depictions of bottomless pits, which, through iterative AI processes, evolve into minimal spiral vortexes. These images symbolize the tension between curiosity and anxiety, capturing the allure and trepidation of venturing into the unknown.

The works are grounded in a historical context through the use of vintage IBM mainframe cards, which served as the backbone of computing from the 1940s to the 1970s. By laminating these cards to create the substrate for AI-generated images, Inouye bridges the past and present, drawing a parallel between the evolution of technology and humanity’s enduring quest for discovery. The juxtaposition of analog and digital elements underscores the cyclical nature of progress, inviting viewers to reflect on the ways in which technology shapes our understanding of the world.

Produced using archival materials and best practices, each piece in the Half of What You See, None of What You Hear series is a testament to the enduring power of art to provoke thought and inspire transformation. The series not only recontextualizes the role of technology in art-making but also expands its relevance, offering a meditation on the complexities of human curiosity and the inevitability of change.

What do these images reveal about our drive to explore the unknown? How does technology shape our understanding of depth and progression? Inouye’s Half of What You See, None of What You Hear invites viewers to confront these questions, challenging them to reflect on the ways we navigate the tension between curiosity and the unknown. By transforming AI-generated imagery and vintage technology into works of art, Inouye not only recontextualises their meaning but also expands their relevance, offering a reflection on the complexities of human ambition and the inevitability of change.