Artificial Art

TL:DR – I have pinned examples of the images I have generated with the Mid Journey tool to my Pinterest page.


Regular readers will know that I have been somewhat distracted with what people colloquially refer to as AI bots recently, mainly the language model ChatGPT and the image generator Mid Journey. Neither of these tools actually represent artificial intelligence, they are just text and image manipulators.

I have used output from both in various articles here and have pinned the best images on my Pinterest page. A select few are displayed below. I’ve included the prompts I used for each as a comment on each entry in the Pinterest gallery.

Escher's Octopuses
Escher’s Octopus
The Death of AI
The Death of AI
Incoming Comet
Incoming Comet
Off-roading
Off-roading
Not Peter Gabriel Masked
Not Peter Gabriel Masked
Art Masked
Classical Masks
Marilyn Masked
Marilyn Masked

Ironically, I asked ChatGPT to tell me about generative art, this is the generative text it came up with in response:

Generative art is a form of art that is created with the use of algorithms, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. It involves using a computer program to generate or manipulate visual, auditory, or textual content.

Generative art can take many forms, including digital graphics, animations, music, and even physical installations. The process of creating generative art involves defining a set of rules or parameters that the computer program will use to generate the artwork. These rules can be very simple or very complex, depending on the desired outcome.

One of the main benefits of generative art is that it allows artists to create complex, intricate patterns and designs that would be difficult or impossible to create by hand. Additionally, generative art can create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that are impossible to replicate exactly.

There are many tools and software available to create generative art, including Processing, OpenFrameworks, and Max/MSP. These programs provide artists with a wide range of tools and features to experiment with, allowing them to create truly unique and innovative pieces of art.

Overall, generative art is a fascinating and rapidly evolving field that combines art, technology, and artificial intelligence. As more artists explore the possibilities of generative art, we can expect to see even more exciting and innovative creations in the years to come.

There are several AI tools that can be used for generative art. Here are a few examples:

  1. Neural Style Transfer: This is a technique that uses deep neural networks to apply the style of one image to another. Artists can use this tool to create new artworks by combining different styles and images.
  2. GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks): GANs are a type of deep learning model that can generate new data that is similar to a training dataset. Artists can use GANs to create new and unique images, videos, and even 3D models.
  3. Evolutionary Algorithms: Evolutionary algorithms are a type of optimization algorithm that simulates natural selection to find optimal solutions to a problem. Artists can use evolutionary algorithms to generate new designs or patterns by iteratively selecting and mutating the most promising candidates.
  4. Processing: Processing is an open-source programming language and development environment that artists can use to create generative art. It provides a simple yet powerful set of tools for creating graphics, animations, and interactive installations.
  5. OpenFrameworks: OpenFrameworks is another open-source toolkit for creative coding that is widely used in generative art. It provides a wide range of features for working with audio, video, and graphics, and can be extended with add-ons for machine learning and other advanced features.

However, while MidJourney and DALL-E are examples of AI-powered tools that are used for creative purposes, they have specific applications and use cases that differ from generative art.

MidJourney is an AI-powered tool that allows users to create unique, custom illustrations using natural language inputs. It is primarily designed for use in marketing and branding, where businesses may need to create custom illustrations for their products or services.

DALL-E is an AI model developed by OpenAI that can generate images from textual descriptions. It is similar to other GANs but is specifically designed for creating unique and original images based on textual inputs. Its primary use case is in generating images for research, design, and storytelling purposes.

While these tools may use some of the same underlying AI technologies as generative art, they are designed for specific purposes and have different features and capabilities. Generative art, on the other hand, is a broader field that encompasses a wide range of creative expressions and applications, from visual art to music and beyond.