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Core collection

Roope Rainisto x Mercedes-Benz NXT

Symbiosis examines the relationship between humans and machines. In Roope’s AI-generated photographs, the boundaries between the organic and the mechanical blur, blending classical allusions and elements of the “natural” with industrial aesthetics. His artworks evoke a sense of nostalgia while also looking towards the future.

Discover the artworks

Browse through it on OpenSea

Post-photography: Dream-like, uncanny worlds

The role of photography has traditionally been to reproduce reality one-to-one, making the photograph a perceived truthful impression or document of the world. Since the origin of photography, artists have challenged the boundaries and possibilities of the medium, from subjective framing to retouching. Now, with the advent of post-photography, it is possible to create entirely new realities in highly photorealistic ways. 

 

One of the AI tools for creating these images from text prompts is aptly named DALL-E, after the great surrealist Salvador Dalí. Working with these tools aligns perfectly with the Surrealistic tradition of creating dream-like, uncanny worlds. 

Artist

Roope Rainisto

Roope Rainisto is a visual storyteller. The artist and designer has a huge passion for photography and technology – especially artificial intelligence (AI). In his work, Roope explores the boundaries between the real and virtual and how AI can be a tool and multiplier for creative expression. 

 

His works in the field of post-photography, such as Life in West America, Vacation and REWORLD, aim to push the boundaries of how reality is perceived. His images, often playing with the imperfections of AI, feel familiar and eerie at the same time, presenting situations and landscapes that are known yet surreal. 

A 'night' in the museum

For the first time in the artist’s career, one resource for the AI model to create these artworks are the photographs that Roope, a skilled classical photographer, took of cars, art, and architecture at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the Center of Excellence as well as images from the Mercedes-Benz Classic archives. In a back-and-forth with the AI, thousands of artworks were generated and iterated before the final ones were carefully chosen. The collection will be extremely exclusive, with only a limited number available.

 

In addition to providing unique access to the museum, production plant and archives, the artist and Mercedes-Benz NXT worked towards the common goal of bringing Roope’s distinct style to life within the context of Mercedes-Benz and the history of automotive design. We are very grateful to Mercedes-Benz Heritage and the Mercedes-Benz Museum team for their hospitality and assistance, and to the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection for their guidance and strong support of the collaboration.

DA Z

The launch of the collection was at DA Z in Zurich, Switzerland, in November 2024. DA Z, in which Mercedes-Benz Switzerland is a leading partner, is an annual digital art festival in Zurich, Switzerland. The festival includes exhibitions, performances, workshops, and conferences, held at various locations in Zurich's city center.

 

We're thankful for the support of Mercedes-Benz Switzerland.