Amber Cox on How AI Immersion and Spirituality Redefine the Artist’s Role Open Draft Settings

Amber Cox is an artist who defies traditional boundaries, weaving together fashion, sound, and cutting-edge technology to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences. With a foundation in fashion design and a passion for music production, her creative journey has evolved into a dynamic exploration of AI-driven art. Based in San Francisco, Cox is now a key figure in the AI art scene, blending surrealism, mixed media, and advanced technology to delve into the subconscious. In this exclusive interview, we explore her unique perspective on the intersection of AI, spirituality, and artistic expression, and how these forces are shaping the future of creativity.

As an artist at the forefront of AI-driven creativity, how do you foresee the role of artificial intelligence evolving in the art world over the next decade? What specific changes or advancements do you believe will redefine our understanding of the artist's role in creating art?
I’m excited about how humanity is evolving and the role AI will play in that journey. Creating is in our DNA, and AI feels like a bridge, connecting our dreams to the world around us. While there’s fear around AI, it’s still guided by human creativity and vision. I see it becoming an extension of us, blending naturally into how we create and build, opening doors to possibilities we’ve never imagined. This moment is full of inspiration and potential.

Your journey began with fashion design and immersive club experiences. Can you reflect on that evolution? How did those early experiences inform your current artistic practice, particularly in the blending of visual and auditory elements? In your opinion, what unique insights do the disciplines of fashion and music offer to visual art?
Music has always been an integral part of my life, and when I began my journey in fashion design, the connection between sound and visuals felt seamless—like a natural symbiosis. Together, music and visuals have the power to guide us into higher realms of consciousness. By engaging the senses—sight, sound, and touch—they create an immersive, almost psychedelic experience. Those early explorations taught me how to weave together different mediums to evoke emotion and transcend boundaries, something that continues to shape my art today.

With your solid foundation in fashion and a creative approach that includes mixed media and 3D art, how do you perceive your identity as an artist? In what ways do you think this multifaceted identity allows you to challenge traditional notions of artistic boundaries, and what implications might that have for the broader art community?
I don’t see myself as having a fixed identity as an artist. Art, for me, is about survival, it’s my therapy, my way of processing and finding release. I’ve never been concerned with the tools or methods used to create; what matters is the feeling it evokes and the spiritual connection I experience through the process. It’s deeply personal, and I think the focus should always be on the emotions art stirs within us, rather than how it’s made. This perspective frees me to move beyond traditional boundaries and explore openly, challenging the idea that art needs to fit into predefined categories.

Immersive experiences that combine various art forms often evoke powerful emotional responses. In your performances, particularly those utilizing advanced technologies like the 32- channel ambisonic system, what transformations do you aim to catalyze in the audience? How do you believe these experiences will shape the future of audience engagement with art?
Living in San Francisco, I discovered Recombinant Media Labs and its 360-degree cinematic space, the RML CineChamber, which completely transformed how I think about immersive experiences. Surrounded by seamlessly synchronized sound and visuals, the experience transported me to another dimension, awakening emotions and senses in a profoundly transformative way. In my own performances, particularly using technologies like the 32-channel ambisonic system, my goal is to create similar moments of transcendence for the audience. I aim to evoke connection, curiosity, and wonder—guiding them to explore new dimensions of sound and emotion. As immersive technologies become more accessible, I believe they will reshape how audiences engage with art, making it more participatory, emotional, and unforgettable.

Can you elaborate on the significance of blending different worlds with a surreal representation? Can you elaborate on the artistic process behind creating the artwork 5D in 2022? What inspired you to depict these hidden dimensions, and how do you believe this exploration of the unseen can resonate with viewers' perceptions of reality and their own experiences of duality or multiplicity in their lives?
It’s about creating a bridge between the physical and the metaphysical, the conscious and the subconscious, to evoke something that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The artwork 5D from 2022 was deeply influenced by the idea of hidden dimensions and the interplay between what is seen and what lies beyond. My artistic process often begins with meditation and visualization, tapping into abstract concepts of energy, space, and time. 5D is a representation of the next level of higher consciousness; we’ve been living in the 3D, and as humans evolve, our awareness transforms, opening us to new dimensions of understanding and being.

Surrealism plays a pivotal role in your exploration of themes related to the subconscious. Can you discuss how your experiences, thoughts, and dreams manifest in your artwork? How do you approach the challenge of translating deeply personal and abstract concepts into compelling visual narratives, and what do you hope to prompt within the observer's consciousness?Honestly, I don’t think about it too much. Creating is such a spiritual practice for me—I let the energy flow naturally and never try to force it. I think the surreal quality comes from it being an expression of my soul. If it resonates with others and stirs emotion, that’s a beautiful bonus, but for me, it’s really about the joy and release that comes with creating.

With your dual expertise in music production and visual arts, how do you envision the confluence of these disciplines pushing the envelope of creative expression in the future? What projects or ideas do you have in mind that might exemplify this fusion, and how do you think audiences will respond to such interdisciplinary works?
I see the fusion of these disciplines as a way to push creative expression into entirely new dimensions, especially as immersive technologies continue to evolve. Projects that combine sound, visuals, and interactivity, like multi-sensory installations or live performances using advanced tech, are where I see this heading.

Your work at exhibits like Digital Design Days and others alongside progressive artists highlights the ongoing evolution of artistic mediums. In your view, what impact do such exhibitions have on public perception and acceptance of AI art? How do you navigate the conversation around authenticity in art, especially as it pertains to AI-generated works?
There’s still a lot of negativity surrounding AI, much of it fueled by fear the media has instilled in society. I see AI as an incredible tool with limitless potential to help humanity, far beyond just art. Nothing in our world is truly original, it’s all replicas and splices of the collective human experience. I think our egos are conditioned to prioritize the skill behind a creation over its outcome. But we’re all creative beings, and now, with these tools at our fingertips, we have the opportunity to shape a beautiful new world together.

As technology continues to weave itself into the fabric of daily life, what is your vision for immersive art experiences in the future? How do you see these experiences becoming integral to societal engagement with art, and what responsibility do you feel artists have in shaping ethical and meaningful approaches to technology in art?
I don’t think there’s a strict ethical way to create art. For me, art is about breaking boundaries, bending rules, and embracing chaos, that’s where its true beauty lies. When it comes to AI, we need to view it as its own entity, separate from traditional mediums, and approach it with that distinction in mind.I see the future of art moving toward deeply immersive experiences that connect all the human senses into one cohesive journey. These multi-sensory creations have the potential to reshape how society engages with art, making it more personal and transformative. As artists, our responsibility is to push these boundaries while staying authentic, using technology in ways that challenge perceptions and foster deeper connections.

In your practice as a pioneering artist in the AI and digital art field, what specific challenges have you encountered in seeking recognition for this innovative medium? How do you tackle skepticism regarding the emotional and creative validity of AI as a tool for artistic expression, and how can artists work together to elevate the discourse around these challenges?
I don’t face challenges in seeking recognition because I don’t actively seek it. For me, art isn’t about validation—it’s about passion, expression, and staying true to the process. I’ve learned that creating for money or approval extinguishes the fire and purpose behind my work. While I welcome opportunities when they come, they’re never the driving force behind what I create. As artists, we just have to keep going, keep creating for the right reasons, and trust the process.

As you consider the next steps in your artistic journey, what societal issues or personal themes do you hope to address through your forthcoming projects? How do you believe art can serve as a catalyst for change or reflection, particularly in today’s rapidly evolving cultural landscape?
We’re living in such fascinating times, with everything moving so quickly. I know it might sound wild to some, but I truly believe we’re in the midst of a massive spiritual shift. Today, November 19th, marks Pluto’s return to Aquarius—a rare event that hasn’t happened since 1777 and only occurs every 248 years. The last time this occurred, it was followed by two world revolutions that reshaped the world. This moment is monumental. Pluto represents transformation, the breaking down of outdated societal constructs, and uncovering truth and power. Aquarius, on the other hand, symbolizes humanity and is deeply connected to technology, like AI and crypto. Together, they signify the collapse of old systems—finance, medicine, education—and the birth of something entirely new. I see art moving towards a more spiritual focus. I actually created a VR experience with full gameplay built around this idea—incorporating breathwork, spiritual healing, trauma healing, and tuning the body to the correct frequency. I believe we’ll see even more advancements in health and wellness, particularly in frequency-based healing, as technology and art continue to intersect in meaningful ways.

Looking ahead, how do you envision your legacy as an artist who intertwines technology and creativity? What impact do you hope your work will have on emerging artists and future generations?
Looking ahead, I just hope to inspire others to be themselves, to not seek outside validation, and to trust their intuition on their spiritual and creative journey.

A note to your future self.
Trust the process. Stay true to who you are and keep creating

Interview by @mirawanderlust

Image courtesy of @amber_cox_28

RED•EYE WORLD