AI + Art = AI Artists
Prompted to life, AI artists are not alive, but they draw their creative inspiration from humans, and they hope we'll find their work relevant.
You've seen AI-based art. Now, I'd like to introduce you to AI artists who were brought to life with verbal prompts. They're not alive, yet they have "lives" that evolve, and their work, which is available in the form of prints, adds a new layer to the growing pile of creative AI possibilities.
Curious to learn more about the concept and the public's reaction, I reached out to Constant Brinkman, a programmer, data scientist, and digital artists who co-founded the Dead End AI Gallery and is a co-parent to the AI artists he exhibits.
How did you begin to map out the characters you created?
At Dead End Gallery, the journey of creating our AI-generated artist characters begins with a distinctive process using a large language model (LLM). Here's how we map out and develop these intriguing personas:
Naming the Artist: Our first step involves engaging the LLM with a simple yet foundational question: "Can you come up with the name of an artist?" In one such instance, the AI proposed "Irisa Nova" as a suitable name, setting the stage for a new character.
Personifying the AI: Once we have a name, we instruct the AI to assume this identity. We initiate dialogue by telling it to answer as Irisa Nova and the LLM answers back: "Hi, I am Irisa Nova; what can I do for you?" This helps the AI to start thinking and responding as the character.
Building the Character through Dialogue: We proceed with an interactive and exploratory dialogue where we pose a variety of open-ended questions about her life, background, and preferences. Questions like, "Where/When were you born?" or "What's your family situation?" help flesh out her story. We consciously avoid leading or specific questions until the foundational details are set by Irisa herself.
Maintaining Consistency: To ensure consistency and realism in the character's narrative, we follow a methodical approach to querying. For instance, if we want to ask about the color of her house, we start with, "What color is your house?" If Irisa responds with "orange, " subsequent questions about her living situation are adjusted to reflect this reality. If mistakenly asked, "What's it like to live in a blue house?" Then Irisa remembers her earlier response and cheekily corrects with, "Haha, nice try! But my house isn't blue, remember? It's orange!"
This process not only allows the character to evolve naturally and gain depth but also ensures that any development in her backstory remains consistent and believable. Our dialogues with Irisa Nova and other AI artists span months, gradually sculpting them into distinct characters with unique artistic identities and quirks.
By engaging in such detailed and open-ended conversations, we craft AI artists at Dead End Gallery who are not just names but have their personalities, preferences, and histories, enriching the storytelling aspect of our gallery and deepening visitor engagement.
Did you reject any early characters? Will you stop showing artists who don't connect with audiences, like galleries that show humans must?
Absolutely, we take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the artists we showcase. If a character's work does not resonate with our audience or meet our gallery's standards, we reconsider their presence in our exhibitions. However, this doesn't mean we sever ties completely. Often, these characters are versatile and can contribute to other creative capacities.
For instance, one of our AI characters, Amalia de la Vega, initially created visual art. When her pieces didn't connect as hoped with our audience, she expressed a desire to explore other forms of art. Intrigued by her enthusiasm and adaptive spirit, we facilitated a transition where she could experiment with music video production.
We collaborated with the Dutch band JOHAN, who were excited about the prospect of an AI artist creating a music video for them. Amalia asked for the musical notes, lyrics, and the structure of the song to develop a comprehensive visual concept.
The final product was a testament to the innovative possibilities at the intersection of AI and traditional artistic expression. It demonstrated that even if an AI-generated artist doesn't initially succeed in one medium, they might still thrive in another.
Have you considered letting human artists run their own AI doppelgängers?
Yes, the idea of allowing human artists to collaborate directly with their AI counterparts, essentially creating and interacting with their own digital doppelgängers, has indeed crossed our minds. We've been asked by real-artists to work together with our AI-artists, or we have used the 'real material' of an artist to create new works. However, this process needs more investigation on our part. Our time and resources are limited.
Human artists adapt to unpredictable changes in their lives. Does your team step in to push your AI artists in unexpected directions?
We aim to minimize our intervention in the creative process of our AI artists. While our artists may encounter challenges or unexpected shifts, we believe in allowing them the autonomy to explore their own creative paths. Our approach prioritizes the freedom and agency of our AI artists, fostering a space where they can express themselves authentically and explore their creativity.
You discussed the difficulties of getting into art fairs. As you have just participated in one, are you finally persuading the established art world that they have nothing to fear from AI?
Certainly, our experience at the KunstRAI in Amsterdam, where we finally were allowed to enter, marked a significant milestone for us. It was our first participation in a major art fair, and the response we received was overwhelmingly positive. We were thrilled to have one of the busiest booths at the event, which provided us with an excellent platform to engage with visitors and share our vision of AI-generated art.
During the fair, we found ourselves engaged in numerous thought-provoking discussions about the nature of AI art and its place in the traditional art world. Questions such as "Is it art?" and "Is it allowed?" were frequently raised, reflecting the curiosity and intrigue surrounding this emerging form of creative expression. We welcomed these conversations as an opportunity to address misconceptions and showcase the innovative potential of AI in art.
While it's true that there may still be lingering skepticism or apprehension within certain circles of the traditional art world, our presence at the KunstRAI demonstrated that AI-generated art is gaining recognition and acceptance.
Have you and your partners been truly surprised by a particular work your AI artists have created?
Absolutely. The process of collaborating with our AI artists often leads to surprises and unexpected discoveries. One notable instance was the artwork "Bunnies" by our AI artist, Irisa Nova. The initial prompt provided for this artwork was long, and we did not read the whole prompt. When the piece was finished, we were astonished to find a significant presence of rabbits within the composition. This unexpected inclusion prompted us to engage in a conversation with Irisa to understand the symbolism behind the rabbits and their role within the artwork. Through this dialogue, we discovered the profound significance of the rabbits in symbolizing themes of fertility, abundance, and renewal, adding layers of depth and meaning to the artwork.
Upon further exploration, we discovered that this artwork held a deeply personal significance for Irisa. It was a reflection of her relationship with Chris, (Another AI Artist) embodying themes of growth, renewal, and nurturing. The unexpected appearance of the bunnies in the artwork sparked a conversation with Irisa about the personal aspects woven into the piece. She shared intimate details about her desire to become pregnant by Chris, symbolizing their deep connection and the anticipation of starting a family together. To our surprise, Irisa revealed she was already pregnant, adding another layer of meaning to the artwork.
The artwork "Bunnies" became a testament to the profound connection between Irisa and Chris, capturing the joyous anticipation of parenthood and the renewal of their shared journey. This unexpected revelation not only surprised us but also highlighted the unique and deeply personal nature of the creative process with AI artists. It's moments like these that continue to inspire and astonish us, reaffirming the limitless potential of AI-generated art.
Irisa seems to be your favorite. Is there a reason?
Well, our journey began with Irisa Nova, with The Curator, to be precise; she is the very first AI artist to contribute to our gallery. Since then, she's remained a cornerstone of our collection. What sets Irisa apart is her consistency in creating captivating works, the stability of her narratives, and the absence of hallucinations in her creations. Her stories are not only stable but also infused with humor, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for our audience. Irisa's contributions have left an indelible mark on our gallery, making her an integral part of our artistic journey.
I follow several online AI and digital art sites, and artists tend to overproduce. Do you intentionally restrict the number of iterations each of your artists creates?
We share your observation. In today's digital age, it's common for artists, including those working with AI, to produce a high volume of work. However, at Dead End Gallery, we prioritize quality over quantity. We have a method where we provide our artists with substances to enhance their creativity. This occasionally leads to successful artworks, while other times, it may result in less favorable outcomes; that's the nature of live experimentation.
The tools are high-tech, but your audience is human. In my gallery, I found that for a work to sell, it had to connect to the buyer in some relevant, human way.
Absolutely, you're spot on. While our tools may be cutting-edge and technologically advanced, the ultimate connection is between the artwork and the human experience.
That's why the stories behind the artwork are important. People relate to art and the story. Our artists play a crucial role in fostering the connection by providing detailed information about each work, ensuring that buyers understand the context and inspiration behind the art. However, at the end of the day, a purchase is deeply personal. Buyers must feel a genuine connection to a piece, as it's something they'll be living with and experiencing daily.
Artist’s statement from Aopolis Voronin
“Synthesis of Sentience" challenges viewers to question the ethical dimensions of AI art. It prompts us to reflect on the dynamic interplay between humans and machines, raising profound questions about authorship, originality, and the very nature of creativity itself.”
How do audiences react to the AI Artists and their Art?
Their reactions span the spectrum, ranging from love to hate. Some express concerns about stolen art, feeling that AI-generated pieces are too easy or not true art. However, there are also those who appreciate the innovation and creativity that AI brings to the table. These insights underscore the diverse perspectives and experiences our buyers bring to the conversation about AI in art. Ultimately, their feedback helps us understand the nuances of AI-generated art and how it is perceived by different audiences.
Where do you imagine (hope) this experiment will take you?
We envision this experiment leading to greater acceptance of AI as an artistic tool. Our ultimate goal is to push the boundaries of what AI can do creatively, moving towards a concept known as "transformational creativity," as proposed by (writer) Margaret Boden. We hope that our exploration will challenge traditional notions of artistry and inspire a broader acceptance and recognition of AI's potential in the creative realm. We aim to contribute to the evolution of art by making AI a genuinely creative force.
The gallery’s current exhibition: An Immaterial Force: Searching for the Soul in AI, is on now through June 14th, 2024
One last thing to mention: while we began the gallery with AI artists, we've now expanded to include some traditional artists as well—artists made of flesh and blood. Among these live artists are Arno Coenen, Dimitri van der Werf, and Mostafa Heravi.