Best known for its picturesque canals and rich cultural heritage, Amsterdam has transformed into a mesmerising canvas of light and art owing to its annual rendition of the Amsterdam Light Festival. Organised by a non-profit foundation in collaboration with the municipality, the Amsterdam Light Festival is not just a fleeting event but a year-round commitment to enrich and connect people through light art.

The 12^th edition of the art festival is a dazzling spectacle, showcasing 25 specially curated light artworks by international and national artists. For this edition, the theme, LOADING…Revealing Art, AI and Tech explores the profound impact of technology and artificial intelligence on our lives. Over 20 light artworks grace the canals, offering a visual exploration of the digital revolution and its effects on the human condition. Artists delve into subjects like swarm intelligence, self-learning algorithms, facial recognition, and motion capture, consequently inviting indispensable discourse on the boundaries of technological advancements.

The Amsterdam winter sees iconic canals illuminated, inviting visitors to embark on a journey led by the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and artistic expression.

STIR lists the most captivating displays from the festival.

1. Is it really you? by Studio MAST (NL)

A compelling commentary on the societal implications of technology, this installation challenges facial recognition software, shedding light on the flaws inherent in algorithms that often perpetuate racial and gender-based stereotypes.

2. Le Saut by Arnaud Laffond (FR)

Blurring the line between reality and the digital world, this piece depicts a figure seemingly jumping into a virtual universe. The artwork invites contemplation on the evolving relationship between the tangible and the virtual.

3. Artificial Humans by Atelier Haute Cuisine (BE)

Crafted with the assistance of AI, this artwork explores the creative possibilities and limitations of artificial intelligence. It is a visually stunning representation of the intersection between human ingenuity and machine-generated art.

4. Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness by ENESS (AU)

Offering a whimsical landscape of colourful creatures, this artwork leads to a giant inflatable guru that dispenses AI-generated predictions. A playful yet thought-provoking commentary on the predicament ensued by the coalesce of technology and wisdom.

5. Error by Vendel & De Wolf (NL)

This artwork is a visually striking representation of the evolving technological landscape. It symbolises the pervasive domination of technology in our lives, with the void drawing parallels between our dependence on it and the inevitability of making errors.

6. Gouden Bocht by Peter Vink (NL)

Located in a once-opulent part of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, this site-specific artwork mimics the visual language of a stock exchange ticker and is an intriguing commentary on the entwined relationship between finance and technology.

7. Light High by Jacqueline Hen (DE)

Winner of the International Light Art Award 2019, this infinite world of water and mirrors challenges perceptions, much like the ambiguous nature of our relatedness to AI. This creation explores the boundaries between reality and illusion.

8. ATLAS by Jon Voss (UK)

An impressive visual metaphor for the role of technology as the glue connecting humanity and the natural world, this work depicts the Greek titan Atlas as a cyborg. It raises necessary questions about the balance between technology and nature.

9. Waves by Florian & Michael Quistrebert (FR)

Waves is a visual symphony of shapes reminiscent of pipe organs and offers a hypnotic experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the harmonious and dissonant aspects of technology's impact on our lives.

10. Chairwave by VOUW (NL)

Using technology to foster connections, this interactive installation invites viewers to become a part of the artwork. By sitting in designated chairs, visitors create immediate connections, emphasising the potential of technology to bring people together.

This latest edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival offers a unique and thought-provoking affair for visitors. As the canals of the city come alive with light, the festival enkindles one to reflect on the profound aftermath of technology and artificial intelligence on our lives, whether you choose to explore the artworks by water or land.

The Amsterdam Light Festival is on display from November 30, 2023 to January 21, 2024.