Theological imaginal reflections with AI artworks: revealing and obscuring divine knowledge in aesthetic experience

Abstract

This article presents a practice-led theological inquiry of my experience of creating a multimodal artwork using Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) creative tools (Dalle-3; Suno; Pika; Luma; Kling; Firefly). I examine how my artistic process cultivates theological imagination and becomes a site for the investigation of Viladesau’s Theological Aesthetics, and Brown’s Christian Taste. I explore my process of GenAI creation as a struggle between the generation of symbols that are deep, uplifting and prophetic, and the charm-joy of superficial, banal and deceptive digital kitsch. The article endeavours to re-establish the human goal to seek and be sought by God, to challenge the transhumanist ontology that orients towards the idolisation of human as machine. As a work of practical theology, I examine my quest to find new theological metaphors and symbols within my art practice with GenAI, to facilitate my understanding of God’s work in aesthetic practice, and to activate the process of Visio Divina for the audience.