CAN AI BE INTEGRATED INTO TRADITIONAL ARTISTIC MEDIUMS?
Bad Brains DC Mindpower 1978
The recent developments around AI generated imagery/artwork has brought up a lot of discussion around how it can be integrated into the current artistic ecosystem and what that could mean for artists.
Some people are anxious about the integration of AI replacing working artists, but I prefer to see it as a new process for creating original work, which may be the healthiest way for people to consider the integration of different creative methods when it comes to anything. Maybe the fact that it can generate appealing visual concepts within a short span of time is an advantage that artists can utilize. It has the potential to save a ton of time between the points of conceptualising a project and the execution
It’s highly unlikely that an artificially generated image will ever have any close resemblance to exactly what we’re visualising in our heads, but now that we have the resources for original reference or at least a point of reference for what to do, or what not to do.
I think there can be a lot to learn from AI generated artwork in that sense. It promotes the push and pull of conceptual progression. As in, ‘How far can I push these variables before the concept breaks and I’ve lost all resemblance to the original thought.’ This is more so relating to someone who likes to edit imagery using digital art programs. The AI generated artwork can basically just exist as a foundation. You’re still able to consider it, decide on what you don’t like about it and then rework those aspects.
Recently I’ve been spending time generating AI imagery and using them it in my sketching process to create thumbnails. After generating the images I decide how to push certain shapes and proportions within the images and also re-edit the other parts that I dislike.
That way I’m working alongside the AI and bringing the human touch back into the creative process. Which opens up an entire new lane for original ideas. Rather than letting myself and the AI run on two separate tracks, we’re technically merging and allowing the possibility for even weirder shit to exist.
So I believe that it’s very unlikely that artificially generated artwork is going to leave zero room for improvement, especially after a living breathing artist with an established history within art itself, is able to consider ways in which it can be improved. It’s pretty much impossible. Most generated artwork should basically serve as a first iteration, so it’s still up to the person to take that artificiality
and turn it into something real.
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