Surreal AI Twist on Suburban Life: Ann Hirsch's 'Sacra Famiglia'

Ann Hirsch’s “Sacra Famiglia”: A Surreal Digital Art Exhibit

In artist Ann Hirsch’s latest digital exhibit, “Sacra Famiglia,” what appears to be a typical suburban home in southern California is anything but normal. As you enter the home’s foyer, you are greeted by images of everyday family life. However, as you move into the den, the pictures take on an eerie and surreal quality.

Den in Sacra Famiglia. Image: Ann Hirsch/Sacra Famiglia.

The images are all AI-generated using Hirsch’s own family photos and Midjourney. Accompanying the visuals is audio narration by Hirsch in an ASMR style, featuring phrases one might hear in a household. The exhibit seamlessly combines personal experience with the technology of today, much like Hirsch’s previous work exploring YouTube in 2008.

Hirsch explains that she was already taking snapshots of her domestic life and decided to see what would happen if she fed them into Midjourney, resulting in these subtly weird AI interpretations. Some images are more extreme than others, such as a toddler wearing a spaghetti-mushroom helmet in the boudoir or howling beasts adorning the playroom walls.

Boudoir in Sacra Famiglia. Image: Ann Hirsch/Sacra Famiglia.

The project’s unsettling quality comes from the juxtaposition of the surreal and mundane. Hirsch carefully selected 40 out of more than 100 images to be minted as NFTs, which will be available for purchase on Friday. She believes the NFT world attracts a different audience than traditional art and appreciates their understanding of her non-serious approach.

Hirsch wanted to create an immersive experience with the digital exhibit, which is why she designed it as a house on a website. She aimed to provide a framework for viewers to explore the images rather than simply scrolling through them. “Sacra Famiglia” offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the intersection of art and artificial intelligence.

Hot Take: Ann Hirsch’s Surreal Digital Art Experience

Ann Hirsch’s “Sacra Famiglia” is a captivating and unsettling digital art exhibit that combines AI-generated images with personal family photos. The surreal visuals, accompanied by ASMR-style audio narration, create an otherworldly atmosphere within the context of a suburban home. By embracing technology and exploring unconventional platforms like NFTs, Hirsch engages with diverse audiences beyond traditional art circles.