Photo Brussels 2025 Festival: A Shift in Visual Storytelling

Vasu Gopu
Apr 21
2 min read

Updated: 9 minutes ago

The Photo Brussels 2025 festival boldly steps into the future of visual storytelling with its AImagine exhibition. This landmark showcase centers entirely around AI-generated imagery. Featuring 18 distinct projects, the exhibition isn’t solely about technology—it questions the boundaries of photography itself.

Two people on a plane wearing 3D glasses, one in red frames, the other in blue. They appear serious, with a retro style and attire. — Cherry Airlines by Pascal Sgro

What Makes This Exhibition Different?

Unlike traditional photo shows, AImagine does not focus on cameras, lenses, or even light conventionally. Instead, it embraces "promptography." This new form of image creation utilizes AI platforms like Midjourney, where text prompts generate visual artworks. This shift means the photographer’s toolkit now includes words, algorithms, and imagination.

Two flight attendants in uniforms serve a lobster meal with salads on a blue table in an airplane. The mood is formal and elegant.

Rewriting Visual History with AI in Photography

Many projects at the exhibition tackle historical reinterpretation. Artists use AI to reimagine past events or figures, offering a fresh perspective on familiar narratives. It’s as if they are rewriting visual history with a modern, machine-powered brush—provocative, creative, and sometimes controversial.

Two people embrace closely against a plain background. The person on the left wears glasses and a denim jacket, while the right sports long, dark hair. — Brodbeck and de Barbuat

Worried woman looks forward, resting her chin on her hand, surrounded by two children in an old vehicle, black and white photo. — Brodbeck and de Barbuat

A man with a rifle dramatically falls backward, mouth open, on a rural dirt path under a clear sky, conveying tension and motion. — Robert Capa’s The Falling Soldier - AI Created Image

The Conversation on Authenticity

One major theme emerges from the exhibition: authenticity. What makes a photo “real” in an era when AI can fabricate a convincing image? This exhibition encourages viewers to reflect critically on how we define truth in visual media. These technologies blur the lines between documentary and fiction, making us reconsider our assumptions.

Three men in suits stand in a crowded room, holding a giant carrot. The mood is playful, and the atmosphere is lively with warm lighting. — Robin Lopvet

Black and white photos show a man in military uniform and two men interacting. Vintage feel with faded and aged paper background. — Alexey Yurenev

Hand holding a magnifying glass over a black-and-white photo of a soldier in an album. Dim light, focusing on the image details. — Alexey Yurenev

Photography’s Expanding Vocabulary

This exhibition is not merely a tech showcase. AImagine pushes photography's vocabulary into new territory. It blends fantasy, critique, and cultural reflection. AI isn’t here to replace photographers; it provides new tools for exploration and expression. With tools like this, artists can engage in ways that spark fresh dialogues and creations.

A bullet pierces a red apple, creating an explosion of juice and fragments against a dark blue background, capturing motion and impact. — Harold Edgerton Bullet Through Apple

Man in blue uniform and white cap sits on bench, looking pensive. Background is a dimly lit room with green walls and checkered floor. — Michael Christopher Brown

Final Thoughts on the AImagine Exhibition

The AImagine exhibition at Photo Brussels 2025 isn’t just a milestone for AI; it’s a statement about the future of photography. It invites creatives to think beyond the shutter. Viewers are encouraged to see stories in code, in imagination, and embrace a medium that is constantly evolving.

Why Are People Freaking Out?

The Good

✅ New Creative Possibilities: AI allows artists to visualize ideas that would otherwise be impossible or too expensive to shoot.
✅ Democratization: No fancy camera? No problem. A well-crafted prompt can now compete with traditional photography.
✅ Provoking Thought: This exhibition forces viewers to question: What even is a "photo" anymore?

The Bad

❌ "Is This Cheating?": Purists argue that AI art lacks the skill, patience, and serendipity of traditional photography.
❌ Who Gets Credit?: If an AI generates an image from millions of scraped photos, who owns it? Is it the prompter, the AI company, or the original photographers?
❌ Bias Risks: AI often regurgitates stereotypes, like racial or gender clichés, without careful guidance.

Through this exhibition, we glimpse the future of photography—a space filled with innovation, debate, and endless possibilities. What do you think lies ahead in the captivating world of AI and photography?