*Hello Xavi, how are you today?*

**Very good, thanks! Still dealing with a bit of a post-festival hangover!**

![](ipfs://QmZqprY72udjrFVdyd4K15UcaDkoR9kDpsbqwQvwkNY4eC)

*Could you introduce yourself?*&#x20;

**Of course! My name is** [**Xavier Hernández**](https://xavierhernandez.com)**, and I’m the founder of** [**The Generative Art Museum**](https://tgam.xyz) **(TGAM), a non-profit organisation based in Barcelona dedicated to promoting art created through code. I am a telecommunications engineer and founder of several startups. I run my own development studio (**[**kodeops**](https://kodeops.io)**) in collaboration with developers from around the world.**

*How did you first encounter Generative Art?* &#x20;

A**bout five years ago, I was working on a commissioned project for a large company that required web graphics to be generated on the fly. We discovered the** [HTML5 Canvas API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Canvas_API), **which allows graphics to be drawn via JavaScript and the `<canvas>` element. It can be used for things like animation, game graphics, data visualization, and more. This technical introduction blew me away with its endless possibilities, and I quickly became obsessed with computer-generated art.**

*How did the idea of creating The Generative Art Museum (TGAM) come about?*

**In 2019, generative art was still a niche area with few resources or activities around it, so I started thinking about building something. However, my professional career kept me too busy to dedicate the necessary time. That changed with the COVID pandemic, which gave me the opportunity to seriously think and execute the idea. I realized the museum needed to be virtual, so I explored the possibilities offered by NFTs and the metaverse. A friend introduced me to** [**Cryptovoxels**](https://tgam.xyz/visit) **(now Voxels), an open metaverse where you can buy virtual land and build whatever you want. I bought virtual land, and that’s where TGAM hosted its first virtual exhibitions.**

![Responsive Dreams Festival 2024](ipfs://QmWrN1r7jYjNTAPqMsrTqmJHNBSRHSi7FGJnewUdaMdesn)

*What are TGAM’s main goals?*

**Our goal is simple: to promote art and artists who use code as a medium of artistic expression.**

*When did you start thinking about physical exhibitions?*

**After the COVID restrictions were lifted, I quickly realized that to truly promote the art and artists, we needed in-person events. Twitter and Discord reach a limited audience—it’s the same people over and over. We needed to reach those unfamiliar with generative art, which is difficult to achieve purely online. After collaborating at events like NFT Show Europe and** [**Latent Festival** ](https://www.latentfest.com/)**in Barcelona, we realized those events didn’t focus solely on generative art. That’s when we decided to plan our own exhibitions, eventually leading to the creation of** [**Responsive Dreams**](https://responsivedreams.com) **festival—the first generative art festival dedicated entirely to exploring art created by code.**

*What inspired the creation of Responsive Dreams Festival?*

**The idea of Responsive Dreams came from the love for responsive, animated, and interactive generative art. With so many screens and devices around us, there is an opportunity to bring generative art to a wider audience, even subtly. Responsive, animated, and interactive pieces are also more engaging for audiences. Connecting these dots made me realize that a festival dedicated to these aspects of generative art would further TGAM’s mission.**

![Responsive Dreams Festival 2024](ipfs://QmdY16mMfcxoPB3Wko2aqL1jcjgwUyi2JC2nfpbUvZsRM2)

*What is the core mission of the festival?*

**In each edition of Responsive Dreams, we** [**collaborate**](https://www.fxhash.xyz/u/TGAM) **with six different artists to create "dreams"—generative algorithms that produce artworks, which are then exhibited and sold as NFTs. Each project reflects how the artist envisions aspects like responsiveness, animation, sound, and interaction. We also exhibit various other pieces to give the audience a broad understanding of generative art, which helps onboard new people while remaining engaging for those already familiar with the medium.**

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*What do you hope attendees will take away from the experience at Responsive Dreams?*

**We want attendees to be surprised and have fun. If we’re lucky, they’ll also walk away with a deeper understanding of generative art.**

![Live Coding at Responsive Dreams Festival 2024](ipfs://QmWUWpEQWNMopLchLCnfsNaztfkuz2jG4xJ2F17HjbCVDo)

*How do you see the festival contributing to the broader art and culture community?*

**I believe generative art will soon become one of the most influential art forms. Introducing generative artists and projects to the broader cultural community is key for the ecosystem to thrive. Many artists unfamiliar with coding have shown interest in incorporating these tools into their practice, and that’s exciting to see.**

**The festival helps building an ecosystem where people can discover generative art and art created by code, which is our primary goal.**

*What were the biggest challenges in organizing a generative art festival?*

**One major challenge was acquiring the necessary technical equipment. Each piece of art is rendered in real time on high-resolution screens, which requires powerful computers. Budget constraints also made it difficult, as we needed sponsors and partners to make it work.**

![Responsive Dreams Festival 2024](ipfs://Qma5VfB5weVhrjHHP1DeWe39J5dxcyfAUw8p6QqvyuCe2R)

*How do you go about curating the artists and contributors for the festival?*

**For the dream generators, we collaborate with artists already working in the responsive, animated, and interactive aspects of generative art. Our curatorial team at TGAM, which includes** [**Ruggero Lorenzini**](https://twitter.com/RL0RENZ)**,** [**Luis E. Fraguada**](https://www.fxhash.xyz/u/fraguada)**, and myself, stays engaged with what’s happening in the space and seeks a wide range of artistic visions.**&#x20;

**While the festival focuses on these dynamic forms of generative art, we also feature more traditional still image-based generative works from artists like** [**Licia He**](https://www.instagram.com/p/CuTmUMpIkhX/)**,** [**Eko33**](https://www.instagram.com/p/CvHVc3RosGI/)**,** [**Dmitri Cherniak**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DAUCRCJyUM4/)**, and more.**

**We also support local artists with our** [**Local Art Wall**](https://responsivedreams.com/local-art-wall)**, which is an open platform for everyone to exhibit his generative works.**

*How has the rise of AI and machine learning influenced the field of generative art?*

**AI is certainly a hot topic this year, but at TGAM, we focus less on the tools and more on the artist, their process, and what they are trying to express. Whether artists use AI, JavaScript, or any other tool is secondary to the vision behind the work.**

*How do you see generative art evolving over the next five to ten years, and how do you plan to adapt the festival accordingly?*

**We’ve established a brand that people trust, so we aim to foster more collaborations, particularly with brands, galleries and institutions, to spread the word about generative art. One goal is to reduce the reliance on the crypto market by creating a strong community of enthusiasts and artists.**

![Touch Glass by Shaderism at Responsive Dreams Festival 2024](ipfs://QmcWJYqdaVswd8FfLyznHgH3ihfrVaKHUir49Cq32BFdKp)

***How does Responsive Dreams engage with local communities and promote inclusivity in the art world?***

**Local engagement and inclusivity is key to us. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We celebrate diversity and ensure that everyone—regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or background—feels respected and valued. We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment, racism, or LGBTQIA+ discrimination. Our goal is to create a safe space where creativity and collaboration can thrive, and where all individuals are treated with dignity and kindness. Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do.**

[We feature a selection of works from local artists](https://responsivedreams.com/local-art-wall) like Marcelo Soria-Rodríguez, Ismahelio, and Anna Carreras in the exhibition. As said before, we also welcome submissions from local artists to be displayed on our Local Art Wall.

![Local Art Wall at Responsive Dreams Festival 2024](ipfs://Qmepq9Wc41NF6LGjJG74rsngKfyH7s9jwpVBmsD6PwumBe)

*What kinds of memorable partnerships or collaborations have arisen from the festival?*

**Several! Notably,** [**Andreas Rau’s Klangteppich**](https://responsivedreams.com/projects/klangteppich)**, where he blends the digital and physical worlds through wool tapestries, and** [**La Gran Nit**](https://responsivedreams.com/projects/la-gran-nit)**, a collaboration between TGAM, Mas Geli winery, and Lars Wander to bring generative art into the world of winemaking and** [**Oefenstof**](https://responsivedreams.com/projects/oefenstof) **by Anna Lucia, a further exploration of embroidery samplers and the act of recording embroidery work as a form of creative expression.**

![Klangteppich by Andreas Rau](ipfs://QmXZN3x2tZeiVdCFY4DKqMM4ggToMiwiDGmPY1tx2Dfqck)

![La Gran Nit by Mas Geli, Lars Wander and The Generative Art Museum](ipfs://QmNhagGHKZ2ziDddLfuVNwQvxPVFzXdgRFh9hmh38TdVgJ)

![Oefenstof by Anna Lucia](ipfs://QmdS4mnR2mG1nk8B7td4XFgbtN2UKqk3N5zHHmwzgwt7CU)

*What side activities are offered at the festival, and how do they enhance the overall experience?*

[**Side activities**](https://responsivedreams.com/schedule/2024) **are essential for keeping the festival fun and interactive. We include live coding, roundtables, coding workshops for kids, live music performances, and DJ sets. Music, particularly electronic music, complements the visual arts and elevates the experience.**

**Thanks to streamflow, we recorded all these activities so you can enjoy them later on our** [**YouTube Channel**](https://www.youtube.com/@TheGenerativeArtMuseum)**.**

![Coding Workshop for Kids at Responsive Dreams 2024](ipfs://QmTxtVgwZ2f2MXme5tbvQdCowVnjUGBej5RWBMqjcLms8C)

*How do you balance the focus on generative art with offering a diverse range of side activities?*

**It’s challenging, but we design activities to appeal to a broad audience. Music is a powerful tool that unites people, so it’s a good entry point to introduce them to generative art.**

*What future projects or expansions do you envision for both the festival and TGAM?*

**Artists are the heart and soul of any art festival. They bring the creative vision, talent, and originality that make Responsive Dreams meaningful and impactful. Festivals are platforms for artistic expression, and without artists, they would lack the very essence that draws audiences.**&#x20;

**When it comes to decision-making, artists should be at the forefront because they understand the nuances of their work and the needs of the creative process. Their involvement ensures that the festival remains artist-centered, fostering an environment where creativity can flourish without being overly constrained by logistical or commercial concerns. Their perspective brings balance between the artistic content and the organizational framework, which ultimately benefits both the audience and the festival’s long-term success.**

**From a technical point of view, we always want to improve the technical side—bigger screens, better equipment, more support. We’re also looking to strengthen our community and increase collaborations with traditional art institutions to further promote generative art.**

![Donqui DJ set at Responsive Dreams Festival 2024](ipfs://QmNkkYEC7Ddu3gBD5dH3Lh88Si2F7q3475SBnjJ5UHArvN)

***Any other thing you'd like to point out?***

**A big and loud thanks to everyone involved.**&#x20;

**Edu Prats, Quentin Hocdé, Shaderism, Eliza Struthers-Jobin, Office CA, poperbu, Andreas Rau, Anna Lucia, Spacer, Balago, Turbulente, Lars Wander, Anna Carreras, David Lost, NZ9, Eloi el Bon Noi, Daniel Aguilar, DJ Kosmos, Bee Boys, QBRNTHSS, Daniel Julia, Donqui, Ocult-ment, LXT, Luis E. Fraguada, Obak, Xiwire, Mekhno, Lauseek, Shannax, Heeey, Paolo Curtoni, DJ LeTung, Munro Leaf, Dum Dum from NZ9, Gola, Marcelo Soria-Rodríguez, Ismahelio, Daniel Julià, mek/hno, Pablo Alpe and Juan Manuel Pereira.**


Responsive Dreams Festival is the The Generative Art Museum's very own exhibition. A place to showcase art created by code. 2024 marks its second edition and while it's still fresh, we sit down with TGAM's founder, Xavier Hernández, to talk about how it went, the highlights and what to expect in the future.

TGAM's project exploring generative responsive art.

Responsive Dreams 2024: It's a wrap!

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