Tech and Faith: A Paterson Artist's Journey

Jo-El Lopez, a 60-year-old painter from Paterson, NJ, has a unique way of blending technology and religion in his art. His latest exhibit, "Digital Divine, " at the Morris Museum, showcases his work from the past decade, exploring themes of technology and faith. Lopez's art is not about AI itself, but rather his interpretation of the digital age and its impact on our lives. Lopez's journey with AI began with curiosity and ended with a playful exploration of its role in our lives. He wondered if AI personas like Siri and Alexa had their own beliefs and deities. This curiosity led him to create artworks with titles like "Lexovus" and "The AI Deity of Syntax; Emoji, " which poke fun at our digital world.Lopez's upbringing in the Pentecostal faith and his time as a street preacher have deeply influenced his art. He incorporates religious symbolism and humor into his paintings, creating a unique blend of the sacred and the profane. For instance, his painting "Millennial Guardian Angel" depicts a biblical angel engrossed in a cell phone screen, raising questions about our obsession with technology. The exhibit also features a painting called "Nomophobia, " which means the fear of being without a cell phone. It shows an angel captivated by an iPad, highlighting our dependence on screens. Lopez's art challenges us to think about our relationship with technology and how it affects our lives. Despite the religious themes in his art, Lopez is not criticizing religion. He has a dry humor and uses it to explore the impact of technology on our faith and beliefs. The exhibit is not about influencing people's views on AI, but rather showcasing Lopez's exploration of its impact on his art and life.