AT (@at.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy)

What _is_ art? Can AI generated images be art? Now, I’m a maximalist for “is it art” questions. There’s a universe where it’s possible, sure. But art exists in a context. Conceptual art is _made_ of context. And sometimes — like, say, generative AI in early 2026 — the context is rancid. And the concept is rancid too. Art students at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks are doing what art students everywhere do — set out on the quest to be more of a dick than the other art students, and get a grade for being a dick. And we have this year’s unambiguous winner: Graham Granger. Another UAF student, Nick Dwyer, held an exhibition on the campus: “Shadow Searching: ChatGPT psychosis”. Dwyer’s artist statement explains that this collection of AI slop printouts: > explores identity, character narrative creation and crafting false memories of relationships in an interactive role digitally crafted before, during and after a state of AI psychosis. Now, you might read that and think: this guy’s a bit of a dick. Our noble hero Granger protested this slop getting a University-approved gallery exhibition. What did he do? He ripped the printouts off the wall and ate them. [_Sun Star_] Dwyer posted about his terrible misfortune to Reddit’s r/aiwars forum, as if they’d take his side: [_Reddit,__archive_] > my friend was there took pics of it as it was happening police took the guy away in handcuffs. Hazmat had to be called to sanitize the area. WTF! stay safe friends antis are unhinged and becoming concerning/unlawful. It is true that AI slop is a hazardous material and should be disposed of. Dwyer deleted his Reddit post when every comment in response said this was good and called Granger a hero. _e.g.:_ [_Reddit_] > god i hope you feel horrible, knowing a guy eating your “art” was more artistic than anything you’ll ever make. Dwyer sent ARTnews a photo of himself, deeply aggrieved at this disrespect for his failed bid as champion art dick. [_ARTnews_] The UAF academic misconduct policy bars students submitting AI output without authorisation. So this pile of slop was authorised from the start, not just when it was put up in the gallery. You might think that warrants protest. [_UAF_] Granger was charged with criminal mischief in the fifth degree, damage under $250 — note that AI output can’t be copyrighted, so it has a value of zero. Granger will be up before the judge tomorrow, January 20th. Is an artist without a rap sheet in the name of art even an artist? [_Charges Filed, PDF, p27,__archive_ _of 18 January 2026_] Granger has performed a work of art trouncing all comers. Specifically, the slopmonger Dwyer. Granger’s great work has resonated around the world. And he’s on the film and performing arts track at UAF, not even fine arts. We salute you, sir. * _Video_ _—_ _Podcast_ ### Share this post: * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * ### Like this: Like Loading... ### _Related_ https://pivot-to-ai.com/2026/01/19/art-student-protests-other-students-ai-art-he-eats-it/