The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has made history by acquiring its first AI-generated photograph, created by queer Costa Rican artist Matias Sauter Morera. The work, titled “Cristian en el Amor de Calle,” explores the hidden cultural phenomenon of “pegamachos” – cowboys from Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Coast who had secret encounters with young gay men in the 1970s.
The groundbreaking acquisition: The Getty Museum’s photography curator Paul Martineau selected this piece for inclusion in the upcoming exhibition “The Queer Lens: A History of Photography.”
- The image depicts two young Latino men wearing blue leather jackets with gold embellishments in a rustic café setting
- The work will be displayed from June 17 to September 28 at the Getty Center
- This acquisition represents the museum’s first venture into AI-generated photography
Artist’s creative process and intent: Sauter Morera utilizes various AI models combined with Photoshop to create, edit, and enhance his images, choosing AI over traditional photography to protect the privacy of the pegamacho community.
- The artist specifically avoided documentary photography to prevent exposing real individuals from the secretive subculture
- AI technology allows Sauter Morera to explore hypothetical scenarios about how this community might have expressed themselves in a more accepting society
- The creator emphasizes that while his works resemble photographs, he considers AI a distinct creative medium
Curatorial perspective: The acquisition aligns with multiple institutional priorities beyond its technological innovation.
- The museum aims to expand its collection of works by LGBTQ+ and Latin American artists
- Curator Paul Martineau views the piece as part of photography’s broader technological evolution
- The museum expressed no ethical concerns about acquiring AI-generated work, citing the artist’s complex creative process
Critical reception: Art world professionals have emphasized the importance of focusing on the work’s cultural significance rather than its technical aspects.
- Hannah Sloan, curator and art adviser, stresses the work’s role in reimagining censored cultural history
- Gallerist Craig Krull frames AI as the latest development in photography’s ongoing evolution
- The acquisition is viewed as bridging 19th-century photographic traditions with 21st-century AI innovation
Looking beyond the technology: While this acquisition marks a significant milestone in the acceptance of AI-generated art by major institutions, its true significance lies in its ability to illuminate hidden histories and challenge traditional narrative boundaries. The success of this approach may inspire other artists to explore how AI can help document and interpret sensitive cultural phenomena that traditional photography cannot easily capture.
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