Plausible Presidents
“Plausible Presidents” explores the complex interplay between perception, imagery, and history, underscored by the pervasive contemporary issue of disinformation in our digital era. This project presents a series of digitally crafted photographs of the first sixteen US Presidents, covering a time period from before the invention of photography until photography was fairly prevalent. The portraits, while visually plausible, are intellectually known to be fabrications, challenging viewers to confront their immediate acceptance of photographic information as factual—sometimes allowing critical thinking to be overlooked in the face of compelling imagery
Each photographic portrait is crafted using generative AI, drawing from historical textual descriptions, paintings, sculptures, and where available, photographs, to resonate with the persona and epoch of the respective presidents. Generative AI is adept at creating images with perceptual realism using multi-modal input of text and images. This process, blending historical accuracy with artistic interpretation, aims to materialize the unseen and question the seen. The text descriptions are also created with generative AI, with its potential for bias and inaccuracy in the captions.
In an age where digital manipulation is seamless and widespread, "Plausible Presidents" serves as a mirror reflecting our vulnerabilities in discerning truth from fabrication, including mine. It reminds us how easily our perception can be swayed by images with perceptual realism, and a call to critically evaluate the authenticity and implications of the visuals we encounter.
George Washington (1732-1799), the 1st U.S. President and a Founding Father, was pivotal in the American Revolution and setting precedents for the presidency. His leadership and integrity are legendary. However, he owned slaves, a stark contradiction to the ideals of freedom he championed. His presidency helped lay the foundation for the United States, but his involvement in slavery remains a significant blemish on his legacy.
John Adams (1735-1826), the 2nd U.S. President, was instrumental in founding the U.S. and advocating for independence. As a diplomat, he helped achieve peace with Britain. However, his presidency was marred by the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, which suppressed dissent and free speech. A key architect of the government, Adams' legacy is a blend of profound leadership and policies that challenged the very liberties he fought to establish.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), the 3rd U.S. President, was a principal author of the Declaration of Independence, advocating for liberty and democracy. His Louisiana Purchase doubled U.S. territory, showcasing his visionary leadership. However, his legacy is complicated by his slave ownership and the controversial relationship with Sally Hemings, which contradicts his professed ideals of freedom and equality. A brilliant mind, his contributions are foundational, yet marred by these contradictions.
James Madison (1751-1836), the 4th U.S. President and "Father of the Constitution," was key in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, greatly shaping American law and governance. His leadership during the War of 1812, despite initial unpreparedness, demonstrated resilience. However, his presidency was shadowed by the controversial Embargo Act and trade restrictions that hurt the U.S. economy. A pivotal figure in American history, his tenure had significant achievements and notable challenges.
James Monroe (1758-1831), the 5th U.S. President, is best known for the Monroe Doctrine, asserting U.S. opposition to European colonialism in the Americas, which had a lasting impact on American foreign policy. His presidency saw the Missouri Compromise, balancing slave and free states. However, his support of slavery and the role in the Westward Expansion contributed to the perpetuation of these inhumane practices. His tenure was marked by significant diplomatic achievements and internal contradictions.
John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), the 6th U.S. President, was a skilled diplomat and a strong advocate for national infrastructure and science advancements. His presidency was marked by the "Era of Good Feelings," reflecting national unity. However, his term was hindered by political conflicts and low popularity, limiting his effectiveness. Despite being a progressive thinker for his time, he struggled with the political landscape, leading to a presidency more notable for its ideals than its accomplishments. He was the first former president to be photographed.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), the 7th U.S. President, was known for his strong leadership and advocacy of individual liberty, significantly shaping the Democratic Party. His presidency was marked by the Indian Removal Act, leading to the tragic Trail of Tears, reflecting a deeply controversial and harsh policy towards Native Americans. A complex figure, Jackson's legacy includes both the strengthening of presidential power and policies that have been widely criticized for their moral and humanitarian implications.
Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), the 8th U.S. President, was key in establishing the Democratic Party and is remembered for his adept handling of international affairs, maintaining peace with major powers. However, his presidency was overshadowed by the Panic of 1837, a severe economic crisis he struggled to resolve effectively. Known for his political skill and diplomatic tact, Van Buren's tenure was a mix of significant foreign policy successes and domestic economic challenges. He was president when the daguerreotype was publicly announced in France.
William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), the 9th U.S. President, had a brief tenure, famously lasting only one month due to his death from pneumonia, the shortest presidency in U.S. history. Before becoming president, he was celebrated for his military leadership, particularly in the Battle of Tippecanoe. However, his policies and actions towards Native Americans, including aggressive territorial expansion, were deeply controversial and contributed to significant conflict and displacement. His presidency remains a brief, yet impactful, chapter in U.S. history. He was the first president to be photographed while in office, but the photograph has since been lost.
John Tyler (1790-1862), the 10th U.S. President, was the first to ascend to the presidency from the Vice Presidency upon the death of his predecessor. He achieved the annexation of Texas, significantly expanding U.S. territory. However, his presidency faced substantial opposition; he was often at odds with his party, leading to his entire cabinet resigning, except for one member. Tyler's administration, marked by both significant territorial gains and political strife, highlights the complexities of early U.S. politics.
James K. Polk (1795-1849), the 11th U.S. President, was known for his expansionist policies, notably overseeing the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Territory acquisition, and the Mexican-American War, significantly enlarging U.S. territory. However, his aggressive expansionism intensified the debate over slavery and set the stage for the American Civil War. A decisive and effective leader, Polk's presidency greatly shaped the geography of the United States but also deepened its most profound division. He is the first president whose photograph taken during his presidency has survived.
Zachary Taylor (1784-1850), the 12th U.S. President, was a national war hero known for his leadership in the Mexican-American War. His presidency, though brief due to his untimely death, was marked by his firm stance against the secession of Southern states, showcasing his commitment to preserving the Union. However, Taylor owned slaves, a stark contradiction to the principles of a united and free nation he sought to uphold. His tenure is remembered for both his staunch Unionism and the personal contradictions regarding slavery.
Millard Fillmore (1800-1874), the 13th U.S. President, was known for his moderate stance and efforts to avoid civil war through the Compromise of 1850, which sought to balance free and slave states. However, this compromise included the Fugitive Slave Act, a highly controversial law that intensified the nation's divide over slavery. Fillmore's presidency is often viewed as a period of cautious diplomacy amidst growing national tensions, but his actions regarding slavery remain a significant point of criticism.
Franklin Pierce (1804-1869), the 14th U.S. President, was noted for his advocacy for states' rights and his efforts to maintain unity between the North and South. He signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, intending to ease tensions over slavery. However, this act led to violent conflict in Kansas and further polarized the nation, exacerbating the divide over slavery. Pierce's presidency is often viewed as a period of increasing national turmoil, with his policies contributing to the escalation towards the Civil War.
James Buchanan (1791-1868), the 15th U.S. President, had extensive diplomatic and political experience, serving as Secretary of State and Ambassador to the UK. His administration pursued international trade and territorial expansion. However, his tenure is heavily criticized for his failure to address or mitigate the escalating crisis over slavery, which led to the secession of Southern states and the brink of the Civil War. His passive approach to the nation's division is often seen as a significant presidential failure.
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the 16th U.S. President, is revered for leading the nation through the Civil War and working to abolish slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation. His leadership preserved the Union and reshaped the nation's moral and legislative landscape. However, during the war, he suspended habeas corpus, a controversial decision seen as an overreach of executive power. Lincoln's presidency, marked by profound achievements in liberty and unity, also involved complex constitutional challenges.