Welcome back to the /promptcollective newsletter. As we navigate the ever-shifting landscape where AI meets the human spirit of creation, we appreciate your curiosity that continues to fuel this collective journey. If you’re not a subscriber by now please click right here:
The Gallery of the Imaginable: Envisioning Beyond Boundaries
In this week’s edition, we present a visual voyage that traverses the intersection of human ingenuity and the advanced capabilities of AI-powered image-generation tools. Let’s embark on an exploration through ‘The Gallery of the Imaginable.’
AI-driven services like Midjourney, Dall-E, and Jasper have revolutionized image creation, ushering us into an era where the genesis of visual content is both multidimensional and boundless. The ripple effects of these technologies have sparked public discourse, challenging our perceptions of art and reality.
The Viral Visage: A Pontiff in Puffer
Recall the sensation in March 2023, when an image of the pope donned in a white puffer jacket surged across social media platforms. The revelation that this image was a Midjourney creation—artificial, not authentic—stirred the conversation about what constitutes "realness" in the digital age.
Photography and the Pursuit of Objectivity
Photography, especially in journalistic and documentary realms, has always grappled with the quest for objectivity. Yet, inherent in every photograph are the subjective choices of the photographer—framing, timing, perspective—all sculpting the final image. If we remove the camera from the equation, this process aligns closely with how AI image-generation tools operate, with users shaping outcomes through textual prompts rather than visual adjustments.
Redefining Realness: The Pope's New Persona
Following the viral pope image, a surge of papal portrayals emerged. A striking depiction by Reddit user Common-Breakfast-245 cast the pontiff in an unexpected role, reminiscent of John Wick, thus muddying the waters between veneration and cinematic fantasy.
Acknowledging Artificiality
Another approach to delineating the boundaries of 'the real' lies in openly acknowledging the artificial origins of an image. Take, for instance, the delightful series depicting celebrities engaging in playful hide-and-seek within cardboard fortresses – a creative exploration posted on Reddit by user MagicJourknees. These images, while whimsical and engaging, also serve as a candid reminder of the distinction between AI-generated art and the tangible world.
Utilizing celebrities as focal points, a series of images featuring Steve Harvey in an apparent game of tag with an alien has captured the internet's imagination this season. These playful depictions cleverly probe the edges of reality, employing a grainy, trail-cam aesthetic reminiscent of 'The Blair Witch Project' to craft a unique perspective on what is real—a testament to AI's capacity to blend the familiar with the fantastical.
The Remix Revolution
In the realm of AI art, remixing has become a transformative act. It has birthed new genres and posed intellectual property challenges. The creation of art by AI, particularly from remixing known elements, confronts our notions of authenticity and originality.
Consider the unexpected results from Midjourney, where a user’s request for a provocative superhero hybrid took an unexpected turn, or the whimsical reinterpretation of Gulliver's Travels by Reddit user Embarrassed_War_6363, featuring a cat astronaut and miniature alien mice.
The Allure of the Absurd
The fascination with merging the incompatible—a hallmark of human creativity—is exemplified by Reddit user Quiksilver737’s ‘Milking an Almond’ concept, a playful and original take on language and imagery.
Imaginative Crescendo
Our gallery tour concludes with an inventive depiction of an 'International LAVA EATING contest' by Reddit user futurewham, showcasing the boundless potential of human imagination paired with precise AI prompts.
The New Artistic Frontier
As we witness these AI-crafted images, we're reminded of our inherent yearning to push beyond the real, the mundane and the known. In this newsletter, we have also delved into the versatile and sometimes contentious world of the "remix," a technique that holds immense potential for cross-pollination of creativity yet navigates the delicate waters of intellectual property rights.
We stand at the threshold of a new era where imagination is the only limit, and AI serves as the bridge between conception and creation.
Until next time
We hope this edition has inspired you and expanded your perception of the possible. The /promptcollective founded by Jes Brandhøj and Hannes Jakobsen, welcomes all who are passionate about the confluence of AI and creativity. To join the dialogue and contribute to our collective exploration, reach out at join@promptcollective.xyz.
Until our next issue, have fun!
Hannes and Jes