do we need artists to create the “art” in artificial?
Artists have always been at the forefront of innovation, continuously pushing boundaries and exploring new tools and techniques. With the advent of artificial intelligence, artists have found a new medium to express their creativity. But will visual and creative people use the tools different than other people?
Text and AI-illustrations by Lars Witberg
Many artists, musicians, writers, and creative people are now seeing artificial intelligence both as a threat and a magic tool. Artists have always managed to utilize tools in creative new ways and this time will be no different. We will see this creative group of people embrace the new technology and push it in directions we cannot predict today. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
We have seen revolutions to art many times in history. When photography was introduced to the world in 1839 it caused a great stir in the art world and led to significant changes in how art was perceived. Photography could depict the world more accurately than painting, so the world of painting had to reinvent itself. Painters shifted focus from depicting reality to painting more emotions and impressions. We can say photography was driving the change of painting that occurred in the late 19th and throughout the 20th century. In the same way AI will not only revolutionize and create new ways of art it will also force other art forms to change in new directions.
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
Edgar Degas
I predict we will see the same with AI. Yes, it is suddenly available for everyone, and each person can create new and amazing images – but a pen has also always been available for everyone. It is the simplest of tools but when you look at the notebooks of Leonardo Davinci you realize it is not about the pen. Creativity, curiosity, and the passion to put countless hours into new tools will create completely different results. It will not be about the prompts and who makes the best written input because the program chew, compose and spit back a large number of results. Then the human artist will use his/hers knowledge and experience to make choices, redefine, reject and select – then send it back and do it again. And again. And again. Just like two photographers will pick and choose different images to work with from a batch after a long shoot, two artists will make different edit path using the new AI tools. And the results will be totally different.
The central element of art throughout history has always been “curiosity” and this will continue into the new digital revolution. Artists will seek to explore new ways to interact with technology, mix, edit and push expressions in new ways.
The introduction of AI tools has empowered artists to push the boundaries of art, revolutionize traditional art forms, and boost creativity. By embracing AI as a creative tool, artists are exploring uncharted territories, creating interactive and generative artworks, and challenging established artistic practices.
As AI continues to evolve, it is essential for artists and society to engage in thoughtful discussions surrounding ethics, authorship, and the transformative power of AI in the realm of art. Through these explorations, artists will continue to reshape artistic expression, offering new perspectives and expanding the horizons of the art world.
