By Lissia D Fraser
The question of what constitutes "Art" has sparked vibrant discussions for centuries. With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative realm, this debate has gained renewed energy, challenging traditional notions and inviting us to reconsider our definitions.
As an artist who navigates both traditional and digital techniques, I find myself particularly captivated by this evolving discourse. Why do we often place greater value on traditional art compared to its digital counterpart?
Recently, I encountered a thought-provoking moment during a conversation about one of my pieces. A viewer, seemingly disapproving, asked whether I had used AI to create the work. While I managed to smile in response, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of offence. Did she truly grasp the time, effort, and skill that went into producing this artwork?
It became clear to me that she struggled to differentiate between art created through photography, drawing, and digital manipulation, and that produced by an AI generator. In her view, if it wasn’t a painting, it wasn’t “real” art. This encounter prompted me to reflect on the perception of digital art and the challenges inherent in working within this medium, especially amid lingering biases and elitism.
Experiment 1 AI Generated Art - The boat
In a moment of curiosity, I decided to experiment with an AI generator myself. I was surprised at how straightforward it was to input a descriptive prompt and generate a piece of digital art that, while competent, felt fundamentally different from the pieces I create. This raised an intriguing question: Who truly owns the artwork produced by AI? Is it the AI itself, or the individual who crafted the prompt? Furthermore, what defines the essence of art—the written description, the final image, or perhaps a synthesis of both? Answering these questions requires deeper exploration, yet it has helped me appreciate the distinction between digitally manipulated artwork and that created solely by algorithms.
Experiment 2 AI Generated Art - The boat
Despite my fascination with this discovery, I also felt a twinge of irritation. After spending countless hours honing my digital art skills, it seemed disheartening that someone with no formal training could easily produce a passable piece through the mere art of wordplay. This realization drove me to challenge myself creatively; I set out to recreate a painting based on a digital piece I had previously manipulated from one of my photographs.
The undertaking sparked an assumption among some observers that painting my original digital work would be significantly more challenging. Comments like, “Yeah, that will be harder than the digital manipulation stuff,” echoed in my mind. However, my experience revealed a different truth: while the painting took longer to complete, it wasn’t necessarily harder.
painting of abandon boat 2024
The resulting piece, still in progress, while similar to my digital work, took on a life of its own. Each stroke of the brush imparted its own unique charm and energy. Painting requires meticulous attention to detail, as artists mix colours, create tonal values, and manipulate the paint to create texture breathing life into their canvas. In contrast, my original digital piece—though completed in approximately ten hours—required experimentation with filters and digital manipulation techniques to achieve the desired effect.
Original Digital Art 2022 The Boat from Colourandash - Original Limited Edition Prints
The Future of Art
As we move forward, it’s clear that both traditional art and AI-generated art have their unique places in the creative landscape. Rather than viewing them as opposing forces, we might consider them as complementary practices. Traditional artists are beginning to explore AI as a tool for inspiration and experimentation, integrating technology into their workflows to expand their artistic horizons.
Conversely, AI-generated art can serve as a jumping-off point for deeper discussions about creativity, authorship, and the nature of art itself. The collaboration between human intuition and machine learning has the potential to create entirely new forms of artistic expression that challenge our perceptions and push boundaries.
Conclusion
The conversation surrounding digital art, AI-generated creations, and traditional painting is rich and evolving. As technology continues to advance, so too will our understanding of what art can be. Both forms offer valuable insights into the human experience, each contributing to a broader narrative about creativity and expression. Ultimately, embracing the diversity of artistic practices allows us to appreciate the complexities of art in all its forms, enriching our cultural landscape for generations to come. Discover More https://www.colourandash.com/
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