Generative Art Timeline · Chapter 9: AI Era (2010s)
2019
EONS by Mike Tyka

This early example of a neural net animated narrative by Tyka blends the aesthetics of a moving painting with the structure of a music video. Created entirely using artificial neural networks, the visuals were generated with BigGAN. The animation explores the narrative potential of GANs, offering a contemplative reflection on humanity’s brief existence and our relationship with nature on geological timescales. EONS emphasizes the emotional incomprehensibility of our scientific knowledge, inviting viewers to ponder our place within the vast expanse of time.
Text by Peter Bauman. Generative Art Timeline, Le Random.
Sources
People
Movements
Machine Learning Art, computer animation
Filed under
- Ideas
- ai art, deep time, nature
- Technologies
- artificial intelligence, BigGAN, GANs, neural networks
- People
- Mike Tyka
- Works
- EONS
Related moments
Echoes across time
- 1990 · Jürgen Schmidhuber Proposes Artificial Curiosity
- 1991 · Primordial Dance by Karl Sims
- 1999 · Electric Sheep by Scott Draves
Le Random editorials
- Christiane Paul on Defining AI Art, Peter Bauman, April 23, 2025
- Artificial and Human Intelligence, Peter Bauman, June 12, 2024
Le Random podcast
- Tom White & Gene Kogan on the Birth of GAN Art (Deep Learning Series 01) — listen with transcript on Le Random (14 Apr 2025, 44 min). Transcript discusses GANs. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Timeline Ch 9—AI Era (2010s) with Tyler Hobbs, Helena Sarin, Rhea Myers & Gene Kogan — listen with transcript on Le Random (30 Jul 2024, 51 min). Chapter 9’s episode. Apple Podcasts · Spotify