Balkan Karışman

Karisman is a generative artist merging digital experimentation with a computer graphics background. Inspired by urban textures, glitch aesthetics, and the interplay of reality and illusion, he crafts speculative visual narratives that blur analog and digital realms. His work invites curiosity about everyday surroundings—asking “what if?” to reveal hidden connections between the mundane and the surreal. Based in Berlin, he collaborates with multidisciplinary creators, exploring how technology can transform perception without losing the human pulse.

How did the idea for this short film emerge in your mind? There’s quite an expressive atmosphere in the film; what personal or societal issues propelled you toward this emotional intensity?

The idea for this film emerged from questioning the situation I was experiencing while preparing for an exhibition. At the time, I was searching for long-term housing in Berlin. The uncertainties, bureaucratic hurdles, and constantly shifting expectations that I encountered while trying to put down roots in the city pushed me into a mentally and emotionally exhausting process.

Rather than a mere search for physical space, the film represents a quest for identity and belonging. As I reflected on my personal experiences, visiting various homes and glimpsing diverse lives and possibilities, the uncertainty surrounding my eventual destination began to dissolve the boundaries between reality and imagination. In contemporary urban life, this pursuit is becoming increasingly challenging and complex. Hence, the film goes beyond physical space to narrate a story intertwined with existential questioning. Expressive narration and surreal imagery seemed to be the most accurate way to reflect this state of mind. I aimed to create a world where reality and imagination overlap, and mental and emotional layers melt into one another.

What do you think about the use of artificial intelligence in visual arts? As a digital art creator, how has AI’s presence in the art scene affected your creative processes, aesthetic sensibilities, or forms of expression? To what extent do you use AI in your work, and what benefits does this usage provide you?

The introduction of artificial intelligence into the art world has caused a significant rupture, similar to how photography once transformed painting. It has reaffirmed that art isn’t directly measured by labor alone. Now, what matters isn’t merely how something is produced, but what it conveys and the impact it leaves behind.

In my practice, artificial intelligence has become a direct tool. My artistic approach revolves around designing systems for visual production rather than merely creating visuals. AI has provided me with possibilities that didn’t exist before. Previously, my work involved manipulating existing photographs and videos; now, I can create entirely new, previously nonexistent images. I utilize AI not solely as an outcome-oriented production tool, but as a material and source of inspiration opening new avenues of expression. This approach propels my art practice toward greater experimentation and exploration.

Years ago, we talked with you about the digital art revolution and published that interview in our magazine. Since then, a lot has changed—especially in the visual arts, heavily influenced by artificial intelligence. Looking from today’s perspective, how do you envision the future of visual arts? How do you position yourself and your art in this transformative process?

Previously, we discussed the democratizing wave NFTs brought to the art world. At that time, the revolution was about how art was sold and distributed. Today, the transformation revolves around how art is created. AI has made the production process more accessible, enabling virtually everyone to become a creator.

How this accessibility will affect the value of art is something we will see over time. Nevertheless, I believe that originality will always be decisive. Although AI accelerates art production, the soul and depth of a work still depend on the artist’s vision. Within this transformation, I position myself as someone who leverages technology without losing the human touch. The evolving face of art gains meaning from the creator’s perspective, and my ongoing goal is to continue capturing this originality.

Interviewee: Balkan Karışman
@_karisman
_{Interview: Tevfik Hürkan Urhan
Translation: Tevfik Hürkan Urhan}