Creator Royalties #002: AI as Art and a Tool

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Artificial Intelligence... friend or foe? Tips for furthering your creative practice using AI.

Gone are the days when Artificial Intelligence (AI) was simply a figment of our imagination in sci-fi movies. Today, AI is rapidly becoming a powerful tool for artists looking to push the boundaries of their practice. Whether you are an AI believer or skeptic, there is no denying that AI can be a great addition to an artist’s tool kit. AI also does not replace the taste and discernment required to produce art with a unique point of view.

Are you new to AI and not sure where to get started? Here are a few tips for how to flex your curation muscles and start leveraging AI in your artistic process:

1. Experiment with text-to-image AI generators

Today, there are a variety of free and open-source AI systems that can create realistic images and art from a text description that you can provide in natural language. These include Dall-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney - a text to image generator that uses algorithms to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Here are a couple of resources to get started:

• A detailed cheat sheet written for Midjourney to get your creative juices flowing - many of these prompts can also be leveraged in a similar way on other platforms (Spoiler alert: The more specific you are, the better!).

• A free Dall-E Prompt e-book with 82 pages of artistic inspiration and over 300 AI-generated images. Download yours here.

Created on Midjourney - prompt: "illustration of a record player, chaotic big splashy paint splotches, rainbow colour palette, blocky black shapes"

Other ways of expanding upon what's possible through AI includes:

• Involve the community: Botto, an AI artist uses AI text-to-image generators in a decentralized way by inviting the community to submit creative prompts. Instead of one person controlling the creative direction, the community collectively decides on the direction of each piece - providing a unique Web3 answer to creating AI art. 

• Combine analog techniques with AI: Linocut artist Burnish, recently leveraged Midjourney to produce a stencil of a succulent, which was then transformed into a physical linocut print. See her drop below, and learn more about her process here.

2. Get into deep learning by training your own AI model

Looking to get more technical? You can start to train your own AI model, or for starters, start building on existing ones. AI artist Claire Silver, recently published a comprehensive tutorial on Twitter that walks you through this entire process.

Another popular tool that allows you to start building your own deep learning models is TensorFlow. Similar to Claire’s tutorial above, TensorFlow uses image recognition algorithms to analyze a dataset of images, pulling out patterns or themes you may not have noticed before to create a model that can be applied to different images or prompts. It is definitely a little technical, but you can check out a walkthrough on how to turn a video into a piece of animated art here.

3. Learn from and collaborate with other artists

The best way to learn is by doing. Still feeling a little apprehensive about AI? Why not collaborate with other artists who are also experimenting with AI? This can be a great way to learn new techniques, share resources, and get feedback on your work.

In fact, we will be hosting two artists, Camille Chiang and Lilyillo on Twitter Spaces this Thursday to learn more about how they have started incorporating AI into their work. Set your reminder here.

Elsewhere, Experiments with Google also allows artists to showcase simple experiments that make it easier for anyone to start exploring machine learning, through pictures, drawings, language, music, and more.  Other people to follow:

• Gene Kogan: an artist and programmer who also provides actionable tools and classes via his website.

• Guy Parsons: Guy publishes weekly prompts (both text and image) that challenges our imagination of what is possible with AI.

4. Be aware of the ethical implications

AI systems can be opaque, making it difficult for audiences to understand how the artwork was created. Artists should strive to be transparent about the methods they use in their work and to educate the public about the technology. Moreover, it is worthwhile to recognize that certain legal implications have not yet been figured out. This article from Verge dives deeper into some of the unanswered questions around copyright infringement, and more.

For instance, Midjourney discourages people from minting their AI creations as NFTs by requiring that anyone using generated images in “anything related to blockchain technologies” pay a 20 percent royalty on any revenue over $20,000 per month. By being aware of these ethical considerations, artists can use AI in a responsible and ethical way, and help to ensure that the technology is used for the benefit of all.

Closing Thoughts

By experimenting with AI, artists can create new, exciting, and never-before-seen works of art. While new technology is always scary, we recommend giving AI a shot, be it leveraging it for inspiration or as a complementary tool for augmenting or transforming your work.

No matter how powerful AI is, it will still require you to apply your own unique taste and perspective, allowing you to retain ultimate control over communicating your why and what as an artist.

In the News

• Want a customizable Artist Profile that allows you to consolidate and present your collections in one place? Better yet, want to collect and showcase meaningful reviews from current and prospective collectors? Apply for your HUG Artist Profile here.

• Foundation launched its new Web3-native curation tool, Worlds, which allows anyone to coordinate with sellers, curate an on-chain exhibition, and share in the sales. Learn more, and become a curator here.

• KnownOrigin will soon be introducing creator-owned contracts (psst: more on creator sovereignty next week!). Sign up here to learn more and for updates.

• How will companies allow for artists to be fairly compensated for their artwork being used in A.I. art? Read more about the recent lawsuit that DeviantArt and Midjourney Face for Using 'Billions of Copyrighted' Images in AI Art.

• Leading digital artist Refik Anadol has on display at the MoMA in New York City Unsupervised, where he uses AI to interpret and transform more than 200 years of art at the MoMA. Learn more or better yet, see it for yourself through March 5.

• NFT Now puts out a comprehensive must-read guide on how to get started with NFTs, and covers everything from security concerns to taxes to ownership rights, and more.

• Looking for more artists to keep an eye out on? Check out Shondaland's list of 10 artists to put on your radar.

• Interested in how Tyler Hobbs’ Fidenza became one of the most iconic collections in generative art? Check out this Twitter thread.

Artist Grants and Opportunities

• Have you spent a lifetime dedicated to your work? The Gottlieb Foundation is offering $25,000 to 20 artists, who have dedicated their lives (minimum 20 years) to developing their art, regardless of their level of commercial success. Apply here by January 18.

• Are you a visual artist passionate about climate change? Get your art featured in the Fifth National Climate Assessment, as part of an initiative supported by the US Global Change Research Program, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution. Learn more and apply here by January 27.

• MacDowell encourages artists from all backgrounds and all countries in the following disciplines to apply: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theater, and visual arts. The sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence. Apply here by February 10th.

• Post your best work to Creatively every week, let the community vote, and stand a chance to win a $5,000 cash grant each month.

This Week's Art Drops

• Before You Exist Everywhere by Amber Vittoria (Open Edition, 0.008 ETH) - follow Amber on Twitter: Amber Vittoria releases a true open edition (no time or quantity limits), with a piece that speaks to seeking the finite within the infinite whilst seeking the infinite within the finite.

• aToxic by Crisstiana (1/1, 0.05-0.06 ETH) - follow Crisstiana on Twitter: A collection of AI gas masks, that have been reinterpreted to turn this indispensable accessory of the past few years into one of beauty.

• Inception by RoseJade (Open Edition, 0.013 ETH) - follow RoseJade on Twitter: A piece that represents new beginnings, and part of RoseJade’s “13” series, which captures her journey as a watercolor artist while leveraging AI as a complementary tool and collaborator.

• Jawbone Tarot by Jawbonesoup (69/69, 0.001-0.03 ETH) - follow Jawbonesoup on Twitter: A yearlong collectible art project exploring the narrative possibilities of abstract surrealism, inspired by the tarots decks of Dalí and Picini.

• Linocut Succulent by Burnish (1/1, 2 ETH) - follow Burnish on Twitter: Analog meets AI at its finest. This is a 1/1 hand-carved linocut of a succulent image furnished through Midjourney, with the original physical print available to initial collector.

• A Memory I Never Had by R Hedges (1/1, 0.11 ETH) - follow R Hedges on Twitter: A 1/1 digital painting, mixed media, and AI collaboration inspired by Flemish folklore and Symbolist writing.

• The Body Remembers the Score by Brittany Pierre (1/1, 0.5 ETH) - follow Brittany on Twitter: Brittany's collection is the first drop on Quantum Studios, and a self reflection on healing the inner child.

• Open Skies 2 by 8 aerial artists, curated by Rich Caldwell (Open Edition, $88): Rich Caldwell brings together 8 aerial artists (Jess Loiterton, Eric Kerr, Dylan Schwartz, Paul Seibert, Vitaliy Raskalov, Sara Zanini, Nick de Jonge, Dipanjan Pal) for a stunning variety of aerial views on January 22 on Nifty Gateway.

Creator Spotlight: EVO

EVO is a multifaceted artist from Curaçao who combines her passion for technology with her artistic talent. By utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), she creates visually striking and thought-provoking works that inspire and empower.

Her artistic vision is deeply rooted in the diverse cultural influences that shape her identity, as well as the experiences gained through her travels. In addition to her artistic pursuits, EVO also demonstrates her versatility by completing her law degree and managing a boutique web design agency.

Learn more about EVO’s art here, and follow her on Twitter.

We asked EVO... What is your prediction on the future of AI art?

"As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see a proliferation of increasingly sophisticated AI-generated art and animations. One exciting possibility is the emergence of AI-generated films. Starting with shorter forms such as short films and animated shorts, it is likely that we will eventually see the production of full-length feature films using AI. This could potentially open up new possibilities for storytelling and visual effects, creating entirely new experiences for audiences."