DATALAND: A virtual repository where art sprouts from bits and binaries

As boundaries evolve and morph between what an artist and a synthetic processor can do, AI art has become a powerful force, reshaping how we think about authorship, originality and artistic expression. By harnessing algorithms and machine learning, AI-generated works challenge conventional notions of creativity, opening new possibilities while also sparking debate. This rapidly growing medium finds its place in public galleries, installations and digital spheres, yet it faces resistance—questions of human creativity and ethical concerns over data loom large. Despite these conflicts, AI art repositions art as a dynamic fusion of code, culture and imagination, serving as a potent tool for human-machine cooperation. A significant milestone in its journey so far and into a discordant future is the opening of DATALAND, the world’s first museum dedicated to AI art, created by Refik Anadol. As one of the most prominent figures in AI art today, United States-based Anadol continues to push the limits of data-driven aesthetics, transforming how art is perceived and experienced.

DATALAND is set to open at The Grand LA, a mixed-use development, in Los Angeles in 2025. It is situated in the heart of LA’s cultural corridor and was previously the site for Anadol’s groundbreaking project titled, WDCH Dreams for the LA Phillharmonic’s Centennial. The Grand Avenue Project is an ambitious public-private partnership with the Los Angeles Grand Avenue Authority, aimed at revitalising downtown LA's cultural and civic hub. It integrates commercial, retail spaces, artistic and residential spaces seamlessly connected by exceptional public areas and iconic architecture, to re-energise the heart of the city. This is where spaces like The Broad Museum, The Colburn School of Music, the Museum of Contemporary Art and now DATALAND will be situated. "The Grand was always envisioned as a place that would complement and connect its neighbouring world-class cultural institutions for generations to come and there’s no better way to realise that mission than by welcoming a future-forward AI arts museum from the mind of Refik Anadol to Grand Avenue,” said Nicholas Vanderboom, Chief Operating Officer, Related California.

The founders of DATALAND include Anadol and artist Efsun Erkılıç, a visionary artist herself and co-founder of Refik Anadol Studio. Known for her expertise in project management and global multidisciplinary collaborations, she’s also an accomplished painter and performance artist and holds degrees from Bilgi University, Istanbul. Her work explores mystical journeys and human-machine connections.

DATALAND was manifested as a blank canvas for the LA-based artist duo, having published their groundbreaking work around the world. This innovative institution is meant to seamlessly integrate future art forms and artificial intelligence into a dynamic community hub, fostering cultural exchange while redefining the threshold of what artists can achieve. According to Efsun, “DATALAND is a place where human creativity meets innovation, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. We are creating a visionary museum that redefines learning and community, igniting the human spirit and fueling a journey into the beauty of our collective memories—the world of data.”

DATALAND’s launch in Los Angeles is Anadol's way of deeply committing to the city. He has always been fascinated with the city ever since he witnessed Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and the futuristic LA therein. After pursuing his higher education and founding and placing his studio here, LA seemed the ideal place for DATALAND. He adds, “Los Angeles has long been a city that embraces the future through art, music, cinema, architecture and more, making it a fitting home for DATALAND. Opening it in a building designed by one of my heroes, Frank Gehry, feels almost unreal.”

The opening includes a display of several of Aanadol’s influential works including but not limited to Living Paintings at the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in Los Angeles; Machine Hallucinations at The Sphere in Las Vegas; and Living Architecture: Casa Batlló at Antoni Gaudí’s iconic building in Barcelona, Spain and more. The works will be expressed through Refik Anadol Studio’s ‘Large Nature Model’ (LNM), dedicated to nature. Unlike current AI models that rely on human-derived datasets, LNM is trained exclusively on nature's inherent intelligence, utilising open-access data from renowned institutions like the Smithsonian and London’s Natural History Museum. Developed for DATALAND, it blends art, technology and environmental advocacy. Debuted at the 2024 World Economic Forum, LNM transforms what Anadol refers to as ‘nature’s inherent intelligence’ into multisensory experiences, fostering environmental awareness through innovative storytelling and immersive installations.

DATALAND is pegged to be more than a museum—it’s a bold step into the uncharted, where the lines between human imagination and machine learning blur into something hopefully extraordinary. It challenges us to rethink what art can be in an age of rapid innovation, creating a space where data transforms into emotion and memory may become a shared experience. This isn’t just about where art is heading—it’s about how art can shape our relationship with the future and with each other.

(Text by Arryan Siingh, Intern at STIR)