Nim Ben-Reuven’s Chat Haus: A Unique Art Exhibit in Brooklyn
Nestled between an elementary school and a public library in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood sits a new kind of “luxury” coworking space. Dubbed the Chat Haus, this space has many of the elements you’d find in a traditional coworking office: people hammering away at their computer keyboards, another person taking a phone call, someone else pausing by their computer to take a sip of coffee.
However, there is one key difference: Chat Haus is a coworking space for AI chatbots, and everything — including the people — is made out of cardboard. This unique concept is the brainchild of Brooklyn artist Nim Ben-Reuven, who wanted to bring humor to the rapid shift towards AI in the creative industry.
Ben-Reuven’s cardboard robots, affectionately called “cardboard babies,” work diligently at their computer stations, controlled by small motors. The exhibit, with a sign offering desk space for $1,999 a month, is a humorous take on the impact of AI on traditional creative work.
Speaking about his inspiration, Ben-Reuven stated, “It was like an expression of frustration in humor, so I wouldn’t get too bitter about the industry changing so quickly and under my nose and not wanting to be a part of the shift.”
Despite the challenges posed by AI in the creative industry, Ben-Reuven maintains a lighthearted approach with the Chat Haus exhibit. He believes that creating art that is too negative can limit its message and appeal. The exhibit has been drawing in viewers of all ages, sparking conversations about the role of AI in art and design.
Ben-Reuven’s choice of cardboard as the primary material for his robots also serves as a commentary on AI’s impact on creativity. He likened the impermanence of cardboard to the fleeting nature of AI-generated art, which may dazzle at first glance but lacks depth upon closer inspection.
The Chat Haus is currently on display in the front window of 121 Norman Avenue in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood. Ben-Reuven hopes to keep the exhibit running until at least mid-May, with plans to expand it in a larger gallery setting. Despite the humorous undertones, the Chat Haus raises important questions about the intersection of AI and creativity in the modern world.
