The Ontotechnology of Fictional Space: Human–Machine Dialogue and the Ethical Load of Cultural Memory in Avni Öztopçu’s Art

H. Avni ÖZTOPÇU

The Ontotechnology of Fictional Space: Human–Machine Dialogue and the Ethical Load of Cultural Memory in Avni Öztopçu’s Art

Abstract
This article aims to reinterpret Hüseyin Avni Öztopçu’s concept of Fictional Space within the context of contemporary ontotechnological aesthetics. It posits that the spaces shaped in Öztopçu’s paintings are not merely visual fields but function as ethical-cognitive interspaces where human intuition intersects with artificial cognition.

The study develops three conceptual axes:

AGI (Algorithmic Visual Intelligence): Potential effects of compositional parameters such as form, contrast, and central density on viewer cognition.

VY (Variative Interpretation): The capacity of cultural, historical, and symbolic motifs to generate epistemic resistance across different viewer groups.

ASDC (Affective–Structural Duality): The expected ethical-aesthetic balance between human intuition and artificial structural accuracy.

Within this framework, the article combines Mengüşoğlu’s notion of “ontological responsibility” with Stiegler’s approach to “technical memory” to examine Öztopçu’s fictional space on ethical, cognitive, and cultural levels. Findings are presented as anticipated outcomes, suggesting that ASDC may serve as a measure to maintain ethical-aesthetic equilibrium.

Introduction
Contemporary art theory in the 21st century is undergoing a profound transformation along the axis of interaction between human intuition and machine intelligence. Artificial intelligence is no longer merely a production tool but participates as an algorithmic subject in the ontology of art. This new mode of subjectivation establishes a responsibility field that shifts art from technical production to ethical experience, transforming viewers into cognitive and ethical participants.

Öztopçu’s concept of Fictional Space reflects the pioneering traces of this transformation. The formal structures in his paintings engage viewers not only visually but also cognitively and ethically. Thus, Öztopçu’s space becomes a topography of consciousness where intuitive human analysis and algorithmic artificial cognition converge.

Conceptual Framework

Ontotechnology
Ontotechnology examines the modalities through which being is revealed via technical means. Öztopçu’s fictional space concerns not merely spatial relationships between forms but the visual translation of an ethical imperative. His paintings engage in “revealing being responsibly” rather than simply “constructing space.”

Philosophical Foundations

Mengüşoğlu: Conscientious cognition and ontological responsibility provide the theoretical basis for ASDC.

Stiegler: Technical memory scientifically explains how cultural motifs can generate epistemic resistance in viewers.

Simondon: Semi-stable processes underlie dynamic balance and human–machine co-creativity.

Heidegger: Gestell critique defines the ethical boundaries of technological tools and aligns with art as an ethical laboratory.

Methodology: Quantitative Phenomenology and Ontotechnological Analysis
The study employs a Quantitative Phenomenology approach, treating Öztopçu’s paintings as measurable cognitive systems. This method combines phenomenological observation with quantitative indicators from cognitive and neuroesthetic analyses.

Metrics

AGI: Measures formal tension, orientation, contrast, and central focus density to guide viewer attention.

VY: Assesses the capacity of viewers to interpret cultural, historical, and symbolic motifs.

ASDC: Evaluates potential ethical-aesthetic alignment between human intuition and artificial cognition.

Note: Measurements are to be conducted using proposed methods; the present study does not include experimental data.

Anticipated Findings and Hypotheses

High AGI values may structurally and visually guide viewer attention.

Variations in VY may appear across culturally diverse viewer groups; cultural motifs can generate epistemic resistance.

ASDC may function to maintain ethical-aesthetic balance.

Discussion: The Three Layers of Fictional Space

Formal Layer (AGI): Geometric forms provide structures that guide viewer perception.

Cultural Layer (VY): Cultural motifs generate cognitive load in viewers.

Ethical Layer (ASDC): Human intuition balances algorithmic structures with ethical responsibility.

Conclusion
Öztopçu’s fictional space transforms art from a mere representational domain into an ethical-aesthetic laboratory mediating human–machine interaction.

It opens new analytical avenues for both local and global audiences.

AGI, VY, and ASDC metrics enable analysis of human–machine co-creativity and ethical-aesthetic balance.

Upon the availability of experimental data, the article has the potential to make a significant impact in the global academic literature.

Ontotechnologie des Fiktiven Raums: Mensch–Maschine-Dialog und die ethische Last des kulturellen Gedächtnisses in der Kunst von Avni Öztopçu

Zusammenfassung
Dieser Artikel zielt darauf ab, Hüseyin Avni Öztopçus Konzept des Fiktiven Raums im Kontext zeitgenössischer ontotechnologischer Ästhetik neu zu interpretieren. Es wird angenommen, dass die in Öztopçus Gemälden gestalteten Räume nicht nur visuelle Felder sind, sondern als ethisch-kognitive Zwischenräume fungieren, in denen menschliche Intuition und künstliche Kognition aufeinandertreffen.

Die Studie entwickelt drei konzeptionelle Achsen:

·         AGI (Algorithmische Visuelle Intelligenz): Mögliche Auswirkungen von Kompositionsparametern wie Form, Kontrast und zentraler Dichte auf die Wahrnehmung der Betrachter.

·         VY (Variative Interpretation): Die Fähigkeit kultureller, historischer und symbolischer Motive, epistemischen Widerstand bei unterschiedlichen Betrachtergruppen zu erzeugen.

·         ASDC (Affektiv-Strukturelle Dualität): Die erwartete ethisch-ästhetische Balance zwischen menschlicher Intuition und künstlicher struktureller Genauigkeit.

Der Artikel kombiniert Mengüşoğlus Begriff der „ontologischen Verantwortung“ mit Stieglers Ansatz des „technischen Gedächtnisses“, um Öztopçus fiktiven Raum auf ethischer, kognitiver und kultureller Ebene zu analysieren. Ergebnisse werden als erwartete Effekte dargestellt, wobei ASDC als Maß für die Aufrechterhaltung des ethisch-ästhetischen Gleichgewichts dienen könnte.

L’ontotechnologie de l’espace fictionnel : dialogue homme–machine et charge éthique de la mémoire culturelle dans l’art de Avni Öztopçu

Résumé
Cet article vise à réinterpréter le concept d’Espace Fictionnel de Hüseyin Avni Öztopçu dans le cadre de l’esthétique ontotechnologique contemporaine. Il avance que les espaces formés dans les peintures d’Öztopçu ne sont pas de simples champs visuels, mais fonctionnent comme des interespaces éthico-cognitifs où l’intuition humaine croise la cognition artificielle.

L’étude développe trois axes conceptuels :

·         AGI (Intelligence Visuelle Algorithmique) : Effets potentiels des paramètres de composition tels que forme, contraste et densité centrale sur la cognition des spectateurs.

·         VY (Interprétation Variative) : Capacité des motifs culturels, historiques et symboliques à générer une résistance épistémique chez différents groupes de spectateurs.

·         ASDC (Dualité Affectivo-Structurelle) : Équilibre éthico-esthétique attendu entre l’intuition humaine et la précision structurelle artificielle.

L’article combine la notion de « responsabilité ontologique » de Mengüşoğlu avec l’approche de la « mémoire technique » de Stiegler pour analyser l’espace fictionnel d’Öztopçu aux niveaux éthique, cognitif et culturel. Les résultats sont présentés comme des effets anticipés, l’ASDC pouvant servir de mesure pour maintenir l’équilibre éthico-esthétique.

Ontotecnologia dello Spazio Fittizio: Dialogo Uomo–Macchina e Carico Etico della Memoria Culturale nell’Arte di Avni Öztopçu

Abstract
Questo articolo mira a reinterpretare il concetto di Spazio Fittizio di Hüseyin Avni Öztopçu nel contesto dell’estetica ontotecnologica contemporanea. Si propone che gli spazi rappresentati nei dipinti di Öztopçu non siano semplicemente campi visivi, ma funzionino come interspazi etico-cognitivi in cui l’intuizione umana si interseca con la cognizione artificiale.

Lo studio sviluppa tre assi concettuali:

·         AGI (Intelligenza Visiva Algoritmica): Effetti potenziali dei parametri compositivi come forma, contrasto e densità centrale sulla cognizione degli osservatori.

·         VY (Interpretazione Variativa): Capacità dei motivi culturali, storici e simbolici di generare resistenza epistemica in diversi gruppi di osservatori.

·         ASDC (Dualità Affettivo-Strutturale): Equilibrio etico-estetico atteso tra intuizione umana e accuratezza strutturale artificiale.

L’articolo combina il concetto di “responsabilità ontologica” di Mengüşoğlu con l’approccio alla “memoria tecnica” di Stiegler per esaminare lo spazio fittizio di Öztopçu a livello etico, cognitivo e culturale. I risultati sono presentati come effetti attesi, suggerendo che ASDC possa fungere da misura per mantenere l’equilibrio etico-estetico.

The content of this study was prepared under the guidance of Pınar Sumer Biber, with AI tools (ChatGPT and Gemini) utilized for deepening the conceptual analysis, academic critique, and language organization processes. The principal interpretations and guidance of the study belong to Pınar Sumer Biber.

11 10 2025