Digital Art and Artificial Intelligence

The study aims at examining the impact of an immersive and interactive digital application (App) that uses impressionist artworks to promote the mental well-being of both young and older adults. The goal is to study the usability and accessibility of this App, particularly for older adults, who may have sensory impairments and lower digital literacy compared to younger adults. The study is based on the hypothesis that the App, which allows interaction with paintings by Claude Monet and Helen McNicoll, can trigger positive emotions, thereby improving users' well-being. The App uses artificial intelligence to create extensions of the paintings and music based on the sonification of electrophysiological signals captured from plants. The study seeks to answer four research questions: 1. The usage behaviors of young and older adults with the App. 2. The impressions and feedback from users after testing the App. 3. The obstacles and enablers to the App's use. 4. The expectations and needs of users for better use of the App. The study's objectives include analyzing the usage behaviors, impressions, barriers, and needs of both young and older adults. It is a qualitative study based on non-participatory observations and semi-structured interviews with young and older participants who have used the App. The App is based on impressionist artworks, a style known for evoking positive emotions, and aims to promote mental health by harnessing the emotional power of digital art and artificial intelligence.