Dozens of artists and residents in Scarborough have said they are “deeply disappointed” by the city council’s decision to use artificial intelligence (AI) to create the design for the Giant Deckchair Trail, which aims to promote and celebrate 400 years of England’s original seaside resort.
The 10 deckchairs are dotted along the coast, at cultural heritage sites and tourist attractions as part of a walking trail. Each chair aims to spotlight a different moment in Scarborough’s notable past and is accompanied by a sign with a QR code for more information.
North Yorkshire Council said it had commissioned the work to an agency within the county that “leveraged AI alongside the skills, experience and creativity of its team”.
Nick Hearn, the city’s corporate director of community development, said officials were “delighted with the public’s positive response to the Scarborough 400 Deckchair Trail.”
Not all residents were impressed, with dozens of locals saying it was a “missed opportunity to involve the community” and highlighting the environmental impact of using AI.
Adrian Riley, the Scarborough-based artist who designed the murals on the side of the central tram station and the front of the town’s railway station, described the design as an “AI slop”.
He said: “We are a tourist destination and people who come for culture are a big part of that.
“AI is available anywhere in the world, but you can only visit the workshops, galleries, exhibitions and studios of many local artists if you are physically here in Scarborough.”
The artist, who works on public art commissions across the UK, added: “If Scarborough is perceived as ordinary like everywhere else, why would people come here? Let’s highlight what makes this town unique, including its creative community.”
Hannah Grahamslaw, a 25-year-old artist and illustrator who creates Scarborough-themed artwork, has been working on commissioned projects promoting the local area for the past few years.
“This deck chair project is exactly the kind of thing I would have been paid to do six months ago,” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
She said: “But that’s not all.” [the impact] What I’m angry about is about my own employment, and my concern is mainly that all the AI ”art” is being stolen from artwork created by real artists, and it’s having a negative impact on the environment, taking jobs away from artists, and without them North Yorkshire would be a very boring, gray place, and it’s very ugly in terms of general art style, which makes me feel a bit sick. ”
Scarborough Studio CIO chairman Sally Gorham said the use of AI was “particularly disappointing” as the seaside resort strives to become Britain’s first city of culture.
In an interview with LDRS, Nick Hearn, the city’s corporate director of community development, defended the temporary facility and said officials welcome input from local creators regarding the development of a more permanent trail.
He further added: “We will continue to support local artists through a wide range of cultural programmes, events and initiatives across North Yorkshire.
“The Deckchair Trail was installed temporarily as part of the Scarborough 400 celebrations and we will review its success once the program concludes. However, the response so far suggests there may be opportunities to develop similar projects in the future.”
“If we do so, we would welcome input from Scarborough’s artists and creative sector on how we can develop a more permanent trail.”
Resident Alex Waller said: “These scenes aren’t even accurate about what they’re supposed to show. They’re not created by an artist. They’re created by someone in an office with zero creativity of their own.”
Local artist Graham Sloe added: “We live here so we know what Scarborough Castle is like and I would suggest that organizations like Visit North Yorkshire employ local artists in the future.”
