Ashley Rawson, also known as the “AI assassin”, displayed a temporary art trail on Sauchiehall Street on Saturday, in which various AI-generated characters which have sparked controversy in the city have been “killed”.
Sauchiehall Street is home to a number of tourist shops, many of which sell AI-generated products such as Highland cow posters.
The art trail, named “Nightmare on Sauchiehall Street” because it was displayed on Hallowe’en, includes the head of Bigfoot – which is wearing a traffic cone – impaled on a spike, while another piece shows a Highland cow wearing a flat cap and drinking whisky while covered in blood.
The art trail was on display on Sauchiehall Street on Hallowe’en (Image: NQ)
The art trail was on display on Sauchiehall Street on Hallowe’en (Image: NQ)
On the art trail, Rawson also reflects on an AI-generated mural which was granted planning permission by Glasgow City Council earlier this year, which featured a rail worker alongside a building which resembles the Wallace Monument, Highland cows, and, inexplicably, American bald eagles.
The artist behind the mural, Rogue One, has since spoken out and confirmed the proposal which was submitted was only indicative, and the final artwork will be “fully designed and painted by myself”.
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Rawson’s version includes the bald eagle perched on the man’s shoulder, holding a tablet which reads “AI makes Glasgow”, as he is impaled by a wind turbine emblazoned with “death to AI murals”.
The art trail was on display on Sauchiehall Street on Hallowe’en (Image: NQ)
The artist has also created a piece which he believes is “very controversial”.
“If you go down to London there’s loads of AI-generated Paddington Bears, so I’ve actually killed Paddington Bear,” Rawson said.
“But it’s B-A-I-R, so it’s not the real Paddington, it’s not that evil.”
The art trail was on display on Sauchiehall Street on Hallowe’en (Image: NQ)
Connecting all the different installations on the trail is Rawson’s “AI assassin tape”, which features the slogan “kill AI”. Following the art trail on Saturday, The National understands the tape is set to go on display across the city.
Rawson said he believes “a lot of people are getting very fed up” with seeing AI-generated art around the city.
“The tourist tat has come up,” he said. “I’ve had loads of conversations today with people, a lot of people up from higher up in Scotland in the Highlands, who say that their local shops are full of this rubbish.”
He added: “All joking aside, it’s getting a bit over the top.”