Online Column 1:
Machine Learning, content club (feb.22) and 'in the field'
What in the world is a Stylegan3?
With a greater emphasis on the virtual world through the large-scale implementation of the Metaverse, the creative world looks towards the new frontier as an asset to be utilised. AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning are the most prominently utilised, whether that be enhancing existing work or creating a never-before-seen masterpiece, AI is here to stay.
Where many critics have stated that “AI will disrupt the art industry” with it being a pseudo replacement for traditional tools such as pens and paints, others believe that this method will become a standard in the art world, with the eventual take-over of non-human work.
I think the reality will meet in the middle of these ideas, where people will embrace the ‘open-source’ nature of the platform, to introduce new people into the art world, teach young artists about what elements make certain movements so special (these being replicated through AI deep mind learning) and enhance existing work.
AI art works by using neural networks, which are large computer systems that act as a ‘brain’, able to learn from input media and notice patterns, being able to reproduce them if asked to. These neural networks utilise Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) to create dreamily familiar artworks.
(StyleGAN3 is a network created by NVIDIA and is one of the most used in the art world)
Arca:
One artist that is championing the digital space is Arca, who has used AI to enhance her painted work. The AI was ‘trained’ with 31 of her own works and tasked with creating a “cyborg dreamscape”. The subsequent outcomes were weaved together using the same AI to blender between one another, and displayed in major cities around the world, such as London, Seoul and Milan. The work was shown daily on billboards until it was taken offline on the 31st of January 2022.
This wasn’t the first time Arca used machine learning to aid her work, as she previously produced 100 remixes of her ‘KiCK I’ track “Riquiqui” as well as a forever-evolving score for MoMA’s lobby.
Using AI to enlarge an image
Topaz Labs:
On the other side of the neural network coin, Topaz Labs have developed an app which provides the masses with DSLR camera quality, from their pocket. Using AI to learn from large image sets, they are able to upscale image quality of any old smartphone photo, as well as remove noise or sharpen the image. This can also be used with industry standard cameras too, to create crisper shots than any sensor alone could produce, and will likely end up as a standard practice when it comes to wildlife photography. This technology requires expensive hardware in the form of GPUs which help to process the image, which when combined with a longer processing time than standard photography, means that this method still has lots of room to be optimised in its function.
Deepfakes:
An area of AI that has come under criticism in recent years is ’deepfakes’. With their extensive use in memes and pornography, they have garnered a negative reputation, which has hindered their potential use. In an age of misinformation, it is easier to spread a rumour than it is to disprove one (As proven by Q annon), and this is very much the case with deepfakes. Viral videos showing faked footage of presidents’ expressing their disproval of each other as well as Mark Zuckerberg falsely announcing Facebook’s true intentions, were spread around, leaving users in a state of confusion over the ‘convincing, but not convincing enough’ faces.
This method is approaching near undetectability, with movies such as Gemini Man using AI to map a de-aged Will Smith onto another actor to be shown in front of millions in the cinema; However, many deepfakes end up falling into the ‘uncanny valley’ used to describe humanoid faces that break from reality with no obvious reason, resembling almost dream-like features. Going forward, there should be a positive light shone on this technology as it could be used to aid bringing beloved actors back for a final cameo, or enhancing a surreal art video, either way furthering the creative world.
Summary:
AI is currently at a zeitgeist precipice, and stands to make its move in the metaverse, whether that be as a permanent tool in an artist’s arsenal, or a niche, experimental and edgy technique, left to gather dust, lost to the test of time. Hope is with the former.
content Club:
What have our creatives been consuming?
Blackhaine -
Raveena Lucid -
Foxtails -
Breakcore -
Gloom -
FKA Twigs -
Luize ‘London orchestra’ -
I recently went to see Mozart’s “Requiem” performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and it was a first time I had ever experienced live music to such high standard and quality. The orchestra with the accompanying 100 person choir gave me goosebumps the entire time. I feel it’s what entering Heaven (or whatever higher power one believes, not the iconic gay club 💅) would feel like. Magical would recommend everyone to go at some point of their lives.
IN THE FIELD:
MOLLY GODDARD AW22 LFW:
This month, BlackPepper were graciously invited to the Molly Goddard show at London fashion week. The show explored themes of growing up in the 80s, teen life and finding yourself. With a heavy emphasis on loud patterns and ‘below-the-bum’ jumpers, the collection provides a deep insight into the mind of the designer, growing up near Portobello Market.