(Un)making art with AI
Unless you’ve been on an Internet sabbatical for the last couple of months, the conversation surrounding artificial intelligence in the creative space has been one of the most discussed topics, making it completely unmissable. In December, my partner and I went on a trip, and naturally, having a lot of time on our hands, we messed around with DALL-E-2, which was released shortly before that and we had just come off the waitlist for it. We had a lot of fun with it, specifically with prompting the program to create new paintings in the styles of our favorite late painters. We landed on making a picture that included flowers painted in the style of Egon Schiele, then added more on top and lastly, we added a vase on the bottom; I still have it on the lock screen of my phone.
Since then, with the release of ChatGPT, and many more AI software, the whole debate became even louder. I’ve been noticing that there are two quite polarized opinions. One bunch says this is THE moment to jump on board and use AI to the best of your advantage or else you’ll be left behind, the other sees it as an uprooting of what it means to create and a detachment of the process of creation from the touch of human creativity. Obviously, it’s not as simple as that and there is an in-between, where AI admittedly does have a time and a place, making certain tasks easier to manage, or even providing a point of departure. For example, one of my favorite contemporary painters, Vickie Vainionpää, uses a generative process where she lets the C4D software generate a random constellation of points, that act as a foundation for the creation of her series titled Soft Body Dynamics. Certainly, that is something that allowed the artist to explore an avenue, uniquely shaped by the use of software, and provided a springboard of sorts.
As we dive deeper into the world of AI-generated art, it becomes increasingly evident that it's not just about the end product. The very process of creating with AI raises some profound philosophical questions about what it means to be creative, what is the role of the artist, and how much control should we surrender to technology. Is the artist still the one creating the work, or is it the algorithm? And what happens to the element of surprise and unpredictability that is often inherent in traditional artistic practices?
Moreover, the debate around AI in the creative space isn't limited to the art world. It's seeping into various other domains, such as music, literature, and even fashion. We're witnessing a transformation in the way we approach creativity itself. AI isn't just a tool to aid human creativity; it's becoming a co-creator, an equal partner, and in some cases, even the sole creator. This shift is challenging our preconceived notions of what constitutes art, and it's exciting to see how it will shape the future of creativity. The possibilities are endless, and we're only scratching the surface of what's to come.
As we navigate this new era of AI-generated creativity, it's clear that the conversation is far from over. From the joy of experimenting with DALL-E-2 to the philosophical questions it raises about the nature of creativity, one thing is certain: AI is here to stay, and it's bringing a whole new level of complexity and intrigue to the creative space. Whether you're a traditionalist or an early adopter, there's no denying that this technological revolution is bursting with possibilities. So grab your favorite late painter, and your AI software of choice, and let's see what kind of mind-bending art can be created. After all, as the great Egon Schiele once said, "Art cannot be modern. Art is primordially eternal.”