"Hello Vincent": Artificial intelligence brings Van Gogh to life

Despite suffering from serious mental health problems in the months before his suicide, Van Gogh was incredibly prolific during that time, producing more than a painting a day. Those final works were gathered together for an exhibition at the Musee D'Orsay, in Paris, where correspondent Seth Doane spoke with curators about the artist's tortured, but inspired, last months alive, and the museum's effort to gain new insight into Van Gogh through artificial intelligence. "Hello Vincent" is a digital version of the painter that is able to converse and answer questions using artificial intelligence to comb through all the information we know about Van Gogh, including his most personal thoughts as expressed through hundreds of letters he wrote during his lifetime. Doane asks AI Van Gogh some pressing questions about his work and legacy.
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[@burningmanmike]

Any reason why AI Van Gogh couldn't have a Dutch accent? He sounds much like David Beckham.

[@The_Questionaut]

The people who made it probably didn't have access to the better text to speech stuff. I've heard better AI voices

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

I'm guessing there are different languages available for international audiences. It would be nice to have an voice actor to narrates the letters

[@63artemisia63]

@burningmanmike Does Beckham have a Cockney accent? That’s how Vincent sounds to me; it’s a little distracting.

[@grncobra76]

Yes came here to say the same thing... I'm not even Dutch and it drives me crazy how many people assume how to pronounce Van Gogh.

[@TIZNYC]

I highly recommend the film Loving Vincent. It's visually stunning, like a Van Gogh come to life. It's the world's first fully painted film, with over 65,000 frames on over 1,000 canvases. It is brilliant.

[@circa1890]

I prefer reading his letters..

[@scottmcguirk4848]

Yes. Thought the same when showing letters the A.I. used. Maybe an A.I. based on his writings would work in a video game, but galleries and museums should be places of reflection to access the source material. Cool they did it. But just cool. Don’t want a repeat.

[@phatato]

This is so grotesque, just put legible translations of his actual letters up

[@patricialescano8323]

This is taking away all of the mystique and spirit of this artist life.Turning him into a JUKE BOX Menu no thank you.I still remember the book I read in Junior High on his life and how this earned my admiration for Mr van Gogh and his work.

[@amy83079]

Why is AI Van Gogh talking in an English Cockney accent? Wasn’t he Dutch?

[@steveconn]

That bad animation creepy but getting into his journals great. Not only a tragic genius painter but one of the great descriptive writers of his own work we have!

[@63artemisia63]

@steveconn I didn’t know he kept journals, just about the daily letters to Theo.

[@sandrabarnett1499]

Sad life But was GENIUS,

[@Me97202]

Why does “van Gogh” have a British accent? He was Dutch.

[@007Julie]

This museum is for visitors from all over the world, I’m sure if you select your preferred language Vincent will speak it.

[@ingevideospot]

@@007Julie sadly I see only French and English. Vincent spoke both languages but Dutch should be there as well.

[@hummersd]

Love all of Seth Doane's segments. The only constructive criticism is for the show segment schedulers -- looked up the exhibit and it's now over. Granted, it was a short one from Oct to early Feb, but would've been great to see this segment early-on in the exhibition, and if traveling, go to see the artwork and interact with the AI in-person.

[@steveconn]

Often the case with these CBS exhibit pieces; usually only a week left before it closes.

[@deb5710]

Interpretation should be left up to the reader, as well as Van Gogh's artwork.

[@mililaniman]

I love learning about the advances of artificial intelligence. I learned about Van Gogh by watching the film Vincent and Theo in 1990.

[@jimcypher]

Watch the Dr. Who episode...

[@YoannVn]

That is brilliant! It gives people another way of learning about Van Gogh 's life and inspiration. It could attracts people that do read or are not much into art to get more curious and seeking on discovering more. The avatar and the voice is obviously not perfect but it also reminds you that you should look for info by yourself because you are "only talking to an avatar" Well done Musée D'Orsay

[@melissasaint3283]

No. No, no, no.

[@alexaales7937]

why would the AI have a british accent? it should have a dutch accent! and even the curators don't pronounce his name correctly?????

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

Our CBS presenter did not learn how to pronounce the museum correctly 😔 Vincent spend most of his time in Arles, Provence, far from Paris, he was productive when he saw the sunlight in the south. BBC did a few documentaries on Vincent in the past

[@BrooklynCalieEarth]

Really cool❤❤

[@macgyvershe]

Yes, you could have done more with the actual voice. Dutch accent?? The words speak for themselves.

[@kisslena]

I would love to visit this museum.💛

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

Flight are cheaper in April, May Sept. The ticket used to be 12 Euro

[@ccsg1313]

Fantastical genius ! 😍🎨♾

[@genarosiles2951]

Depressing

[@A3Kr0n]

I peaked with the animated presidents at Disney World. I'm complete.

[@pprehn5268]

like the quotes

[@kathleentyson6727]

I was able to see the Van Gogh exhibit several years ago,it was absolutely captivating,this takes it to a whole different level,fascinating just fascinating.

[@mstoops64]

Van Gogh had a British accent. Hmm. Did not know that.

[@CinemaoftheMind]

Imagine having to read through everything you’ve ever written to find one thought or random fact. What will change the most about having AI in our lives is the ability to do searches like this of any collection of information without having to rely on already knowing the right keyword, or right question to ask. There are already new kinds of search engines that can remember your interests, collecting, compiling, summarizing, personalizing entire libraries to refine its ‘conversation’ so you can talk to Van Gogh -or even yourself!

[@debrosman]

AI Van Gogh An OpEd by Deb Rosman I have seen a couple of recent AI versions of this beloved painter and am wondering what Van Gogh would actually say. I suspect that he’s happy with how well his work is doing and that his art survives to this day. Vincent is my personal favorite and I suspect that it is fun to be able to ask his avatar questions. I know that his most valuable lessons are best learned by being in the presence of his work. Case in point, I was able to see Starry Night up close and in person at MoMa NYC. It was a quiet afternoon and there was a place to sit near the front of the painting. I was fortunate to have quality time alone with him. First thing that captured me were the textures and vivid colors they transfixed, transformed then transported me into the chilly night air. I sat still for a long while drinking in the night sky, feeling a soft breeze and smelling the earth before realizing silent tears were flowing down my face. This all reminds me of the first time I met Van Gogh in person, I was at the Guggenheim. I was there to see some modern artist’s exhibition, who I cannot remember the name of. We needed a break and stepped into a small side gallery where I stopped abruptly. I was so taken, awestruck really by what I saw, It was Sunflowers. The first impression was how tiny the painting is. I was used to seeing it recreated on banners, flags and blankets. I was amazed at the texture and saturation of colors. I fell completely in love with Vincent on that day and my love, like sunflowers, still grows. Summary of AI Van Gogh is simply that, you do not need to talk to his Avatar to understand the artist. No doubt that it would be very entertaining-amusing but in my opinion if you want to understand the man just spend time with his work. To hear him, all you need to do, is view his art. I leave you with to ponder a quote by Eckhart Tolle, “Stillness Speaks” and in that quiet, intimate moment you will hear Van Gogh.

[@carolscholp3659]

My favorite museum - lose myself in the incredible art

[@ingevideospot]

Would have been lovely to hear him speak Dutch. And if only we would all call him Vincent, his first name, just like Rembrandt used his first name. He knew nobody outside of the Netherlands could pronounce his last name "van Gogh" and that's why he signed Vincent, and his paintings should be called Vincents. We don't say "Van Rijn" to Rembrandt either.

[@jasonhudson8336]

This ai nonsense will be the end of creativity and the end of us.

[@FyreGuiomar]

I do like the idea of having more tools to learn about Van Gough. Maybe the AI can be updated, making it smoother a experience.

[@teleroel]

I love the Doctor Who episode with Van Gogh, especially when they take him to modern day Paris to watch his own paintings in Musee d'Orsay: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5O3e3yVitWbhs0

[@panchamama]

Amazing and moving

[@cynthiac.d6805]

This is an interesting way for visitors to learn about van Gogh AND it is based on his letters. My question is why can't Americans pronounce his name correctly. Would it really be that difficult for the correspondent to learn?

[@gustytipps9560]

I get strong "Tom Cruise Heidecker Jr." vibes from AI Van Gogh. Can't believe it's been (🎵It's been) 133 years since he left us. But I'm glad we finally have closure.

[@mybugmy64bug31]

oof.... when i watch the AI interaction, it makes me feel like Ive been drinking absinthe and have syphilis

[@katrussell6819]

I prefer Painting With Words with Ben Cumberbatch.

[@TRHARTAmericanArtist]

English accent?

[@pauldannelachica2388]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@63artemisia63]

Does Vincent sound like he has a Cockney accent to anyone else?

[@777OOO]

The AI version is a bad copy of the letters. If you want to understand someone, go to the source.

[@e.seifried7060]

Ugh. Two teenage boys who had been bullying Van Gogh were seem playing with the gun the day he died. It is believed that one of them killed him. He covered for them and didn't tell anyone. The idea that he committed suicide is old. AND it is very unlikely he cut his ear off! His ear went missing after he confronted Gauguin, a master swordsman, in a dark alley, over his having slept with Rachel, whom Van Gogh was in love with. And he is not British. What's up with that accent? And we in the US Frenchized his name. It's not Van Go. It's "Gogh" which sounds very different. Very disappointed in the misinformation here.

[@user-js1gu5hh1m]

Scary. Ai taking over humans

[@aholhorse941]

Why can’t we leave the dead in the past

[@dcspangler8025]

Vincent was victim of bulling.

[@cocoono11]

The accent is irritating. At least have a Dutch-French associated voice 😂

[@brucekalter4206]

That fake "AI" Van Gogh seems a bit creepy and speaks WAY too fast... I would much rather look at Vincent's art & read his letters than look at a programmed robot that deems what Vincent WOULD say.

[@hankforeman91]

I think I’ll stick with Doctor Who’s interpretation of Van Gogh instead. Thanks.

[@alexliberti9679]

they should do this with other famous painters like Monet, Warhol, and Dali

[@Aloha4Maui]

AI speaks too fast and has the wrong accent.

[@AfroSamurai1089]

No.

[@fritzv46]

British accent doesn’t work. Thanks for asking.

[@Coelacantha]

I love it but I think the voice doesn’t suit him…

[@timothypreston6496]

Ridiculous

[@grayigloo2023]

OY! cringe-worthy and a poor tribute to v. G.

[@tomobedlam297]

So annoying hearing Americans pronouncing his name "van GO". Vincent himself dreaded becoming famous because he knew people would mispronounce his surname. Americans don't even try.

[@UncleSam-USofA]

Please AI never do Biden animation or Pelosi

[@jjandj7582]

It's possible they already are.

[@c.t.nelson4314]

Gross Try not to do this again Sunday Morning...

[@peterlundskow4061]

This is junk! I worked in museums my whole career & the Musee D'Orsay is going to a new low with this creepy AI!