Fakewhale Solo Series Presents Crikey! by Iñigo Bilbao

Crikey!: Through Experimentation and Rebirth

Iñigo Bilbao, a Barcelona-based artist, masterfully fuses art with technology, leveraging his expertise in 3D imaging and experimental medical imaging to transform visual expression.

Iñigo Bilbao merges art, science, and technology, focusing his recent work on AI-generated imagery that channels themes of science fiction and horror — where digital tools extend beyond their traditional uses, becoming instruments that dissect and reassemble the known into something entirely new and thought-provoking.

“I throw the mouse at the algorithm and watch as it devours it, regurgitates it, and swallows it again. Using such a recognizable character makes it easier for me to better appreciate how the tool works, in addition to being a perfect bait to catch the viewer’s attention and immerse them in the chaos.This is pure and free experimentation, like a child who plays at burning toys in the fire, who enjoys watching a doll’s hair burn or a plastic horse melt. I let the fire do its work, I simply rummage through the ashes.”
__Iñigo Bilbao

In “Crikey!”, the cyclical nature of creation and destruction emerges from this experimentation, mirroring the spontaneity and unpredictability of life itself. Bilbao’s use of an iconic character is more than a nod to pop culture; it’s a deliberate strategy to engage viewers on familiar ground, only to subvert their expectations with each transformation.

Bilbao’s background in 3D and experimental medical imaging imparts a unique, almost scientific aura to his art. At the same time each piece, crafted with meticulous digital manipulation, investigates contemporary issues, emphasizing their profound impact on the present.

As Bilbao himself puts it, his process is analogous to letting “the fire do its work,” where he does not merely create but also discovers, digging through the digital ashes to unveil new forms and meanings. Using this method not only highlights digital tools’ transformative power, but also Bilbao’s role as both creator and curator.

In “Crikey!”, Bilbao interacts with the algorithm as both a collaborator and a catalyst in the artistic process. By feeding this iconic character to it, he allows the algorithm to deconstruct and reconstruct it, culminating in a series of 3 artworks in continuous evolution —  ⚫⚪️, ⚪️⚫ & ⚪️⚪️.

Similarly, his artistic process mirrors a child’s innate curiosity and impulsive creativity, where toys are not simply played with but are transformed through the fire previously mentioned. Bilbao’s interaction with digital tools ultimately reflects this destructive-creative impulse, dismantling familiar forms to discover the fundamental elements that remain, then reconstructing these elements into something new and unexpected.