Code or Canvas : The Realm of A.I.-Generated Art

BY LILI MUNTEAN

November 05, 2023

All artwork in this article has been generated by using Gencraft, a personal photo and some personally written prompts.

This week, we are embarking on a journey into the field of A.I.- Generated Art.

Headed towards a boundless realm, where pixels and algorithms fuse to create mesmerizing masterpieces. We uncover the mysteries, marvel at the beauty, and ponder the future of creativity in the digital age. While the generated artwork often deviates from the intended prompt, surprising us with somewhat generic results, the pieces crafted are undeniably beautiful, swiftly produced, and eternally inspiring. They ignite a wellspring of inspiration across various creative domains, spanning design, photography, and the potential for real-world art. Accessible and efficient, they breathe life into the visions that inhabit our thoughts.

In 2022 Jason Allen’s A.I. generated artwork, titled “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial” took home first place at Colorado’s State Fair annual competition. Competing against artists who have invested hours, days, months, or even years in mastering the requisite skills and crafting their digital masterpieces. In August of this year Levi’s decided to turn to A.I. generated models in order to increase diversity, versus collaborating with authentic Black models, or supporting black modeling agencies. Both these and many others sparked a furious backlash. So, who are the real artists of the future and what defines us as artists, creators, designers? While relatively uncharted, this field is undeniably an integral part of the swiftly approaching future.

Let’s have a closer look at this. Strangely enough, humans and A.I. seem to share a common thread of inspiration. Just as we draw from artists, artworks, and the world around us, A.I., too, derives inspiration from the vast realm of code, art, writing, and data available on the internet or any other data we may be personally feeding it. It weaves these elements into new creations, blending the collective works of those who came before us.

Amid the advantages, however, certain drawbacks emerge. A.I.-generated artwork perpetually lacks a particular depth of genuine emotion, originality, and authenticity. It may have the ability to improve in these aspects in the future, but to what extent? Will it master the intricate details that human creators provide? What about the ethical dimensions of A.I. art? These artworks are still not legally and morally bound to its creators, and they still cannot be copyrighted.

The thought of overindulging in A.I.-generated art raises concerns about diluting the personal touch and individuality that infuses art with its distinctive essence.

What about the timeless traditional skills that have been honed, nurtured, and cherished within the realm of art for centuries? Are we at risk of losing these invaluable treasures? Perhaps we could reach a balance, as our world is still somewhat, one of excess. Preserving these traditional skills is essential, yet we also inhabit a fast-paced world where some facets must adapt to keep pace; otherwise, we risk stagnation. Sustainability is another facet to consider. While A.I. offers a degree of sustainability, it could also lead to oversaturation, potentially robbing our creations of their intrinsic meaning, yet could it actually be robbing us of even more?

If A.I. were to assume all our creative tasks, what would remain for us to do? For those who love art, why not continue innovating and creating it? Ceasing to create equates to ceasing to exist, ceasing to breathe. If we stop learning, stop doing, stop thinking, if we merely relinquish our roles to A.I., are we gradually morphing into the passive beings depicted in that iconic scene from WALL-E? I earnestly hope not. Regardless, the key lies in balance, preserving the beautiful techniques, arts, and crafts we hold dear, while exploring other avenues we may come to love. This equilibrium is vital for our physical and mental well-being.

The innovative realm of A.I. tools, indeed boasts remarkable adaptability and data-driven learning capabilities, poised to propel advancements across various domains. Pioneering applications like DaVinci and Gencraft exemplify this trend by curating vast datasets from the open web. These tools educate algorithms to discern patterns and relationships within the data, ultimately producing new content in a similar style. An intriguing facet of this landscape is that content creators who share their work online might inadvertently contribute to the training of algorithmic competitors.

As an artist, creator and photographer myself, I decided to personally explore A.I.-generated art, myself. The experience is highly immersive. As soon as you open the door, you are drawn into a world of limitless possibilities. For at least a weekend, I was completely engrossed, generating a vast array of artworks. Much of it fell short of my precise vision, yet it still possessed its own unique beauty. Given my deep fondness for red poppies, I chose to center my work around this theme, blending art, fashion, and a touch of fantasy.

I personally still hold mixed feelings towards generating A.I. art. Undoubtedly, there are numerous positives, and a sense of fun and challenge envelops the process, but there is also a thick veil of uncertainty and negativity that surrounds this subject.

Below and throughout this article you’ll find a selection of my favorite pieces that I’ve created with A.I. this week.

Do you have any personal favorites?

What are your reflections on A.I.-generated art?