Stass Shpanin: Blending Folk Art and AI to Question Public Memory

Published Date : 2/10/2025 

Stass Shpanin, a visual artist and associate teaching professor at Rutgers University–Camden, explores the intersection of American folk art and artificial intelligence to question public memory and historical narratives. 

Stass Shpanin, a visual artist and associate teaching professor of art at Rutgers University–Camden’s Department of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts, delves into the rich tapestry of American history through the lens of 18th- and 19th-century Americana folk art. His recent exhibitions, including the solo show 'Forbidden Garden' at the gallery PLATO on New York’s Lower East Side and his participation in the Delaware Contemporary Art+AI Biennial, highlight his unique approach to blending traditional folk imagery with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Shpanin’s work is deeply rooted in the exploration of mythologies and reinterpretations of American history. He is particularly interested in the points where the imperfections of memory intersect with the inadequacies of documentation. “I am fascinated by the place where the flaws in our memory meet the shortcomings of historical records,” Shpanin explains. “My aim is to create a space where viewers can experience a psychophysical sense of displacement, where known history and cultural memory blend and transform.”

Based in Philadelphia, Shpanin combines centuries-old American folk imagery with AI technology on hand-painted canvases. This hybrid approach allows him to deconstruct civic myth-making and examine the visual mechanisms that shape public memory. “My work is a critique of the narratives we accept as true and the images that reinforce these narratives,” he says.

Shpanin’s practice is characterized by a commitment to painting, even as he pushes the boundaries of code, culture, and contemporary art. He emphasizes that the end products of his AI explorations are always presented on hand-painted canvases. “AI is a tool that provides a means to an end,” he explains. “It’s not about replacing the artist but about experimenting and iterating until I achieve the desired final image.”

One of the key inspirations for Shpanin’s work is the folk-art tradition known as ‘fraktur.’ These intricate and colorful drawings, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, often depict birds, flowers, hearts, and mythical creatures. Immigrants from Switzerland, Germany, and France created fraktur to commemorate significant life events. Today, these images are a recognizable part of the regional art of the Pennsylvania Dutch, particularly in Lancaster County.

To create his paintings, Shpanin selects imagery from fraktur and then digitally deconstructs and reimagines it, often incorporating glitches from the technology he uses. “I deliberately introduce these glitches to highlight the imperfections and the fluidity of memory,” he says.

As an immigrant to the United States, Shpanin brings a unique perspective to his work. Born in Azerbaijan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, he has lived in America since his teenage years. His experiences with ideological changes and the imagery associated with historical transformations inform his art. The pieces in 'Forbidden Garden' combine images of birds, animals, and plants found in state and municipal insignia, flags, and official documents. Shpanin adjusts these images to fit specific contexts, challenging viewers to question the myths and histories they take for granted.

Shpanin’s role as a disruptor is central to his artistic vision. “Only through presenting fragmented and distorted images can I provoke questions about the nature of myth and history,” he asserts. “I want to expose the illusions of documentation and memory, inviting viewers to rethink what they believe to be true.”

Through his innovative use of AI and traditional folk art, Stass Shpanin continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, inviting audiences to engage with the complex and often contradictory narratives that shape our collective memory. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main focus of Stass Shpanin's art?

A: Stass Shpanin's art focuses on exploring mythologies and reinterpretations of American history through the lens of 18th- and 19th-century Americana folk art, combined with artificial intelligence technology.

Q: How does Shpanin use AI in his art?

A: Shpanin uses AI as a tool to deconstruct and reimagine traditional folk imagery, often incorporating glitches and imperfections to highlight the fluidity of memory and historical narratives.

Q: What is the significance of 'fraktur' in Shpanin's work?

A: Fraktur, a form of folk art from the 18th and 19th centuries, serves as a key inspiration for Shpanin's work, providing the imagery he digitally deconstructs and reimagines in his paintings.

Q: What is the theme of the 'Forbidden Garden' exhibition?

A: The 'Forbidden Garden' exhibition explores the intersection of folk art and AI, presenting fragmented and distorted images to provoke questions about myth, history, and public memory.

Q: How does Shpanin's background as an immigrant influence his art?

A: Shpanin's experiences as an immigrant from Azerbaijan inform his work, bringing a unique perspective on ideological changes and the imagery associated with historical transformations. 

More Related Topics :