Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly popular tool among artists, offering new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of creativity. However, one artist, Supercomposite, also known as Steph Maj Swanson, from Sweden, has decided to step away from AI art temporarily. In an interview with AFP, she expressed her frustration and limitations with working with AI, leading her to write a screenplay instead.
Supercomposite describes her experience with AI art as “very frustrating and very limiting.” She explained that working with AI can create a dopamine path in the brain, leading to addictive behavior. The constant desire to push the button and see the results can consume an artist’s creative process. The allure of instant results and the possibilities offered by AI can be overwhelming, but Supercomposite found it ultimately unfulfilling.
In 2022, Supercomposite delved into the world of AI art, creating a haunting female portrait named “Loab.” She shared her process and the resulting images on social media, which quickly went viral. People were captivated by Loab’s disturbing appearance, sparking numerous ethical conversations about the intersection of art, technology, and visual aesthetics. It became clear that AI-generated art could elicit strong emotional responses, blurring the lines between traditional and AI-created art.
Supercomposite’s experimentation with tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E enabled her to generate images from written prompts. She focused on negative prompts, aiming to exclude certain elements from the final image. For example, she requested an image with as little resemblance to Marlon Brando as possible. The initial result was a black logo with green lettering spelling “DIGITA PNTICS.” However, when she requested the opposite of this image, a haunting woman with long hair and red cheeks emerged, prompting Supercomposite to name her creation, “Loab.”
Supercomposite’s requests to modify and generate new images of Loab revealed a recurring trend. The eerie character often appeared alongside children, sometimes dismembered, within a macabre and bloody world. Although Supercomposite refrained from sharing the most shocking images, the variations of Loab indicated a haunting presence within the AI-generated art. The reasons for these recurring associations remain unclear, highlighting the AI’s interpretation of abstract requests.
The Controversy Surrounding Loab’s Creator
While Supercomposite didn’t disclose the specific tool used to create Loab, she faced skepticism and doubts about her creation. Some internet users suspected her of re-touching the images to invent a digital horror theme, referred to as a “creepypasta.” However, Supercomposite vehemently denied these accusations, embracing the fact that people were interacting with her creation. She chose not to name the creator of Loab, wanting the focus to remain on the art rather than the makers of the AI model.
The Exhaustion and Burnout of AI Art
After the whirlwind experience surrounding Loab, Supercomposite decided to take a break from creating AI art. The intensity and demands of the whole affair left her feeling exhausted and burned out. Instead, she turned her attention to writing a screenplay, exploring different avenues of creativity. She summed up her current sentiment about AI tools by quoting video art pioneer Nam June Paik: “I use technology in order to hate it properly.”
Supercomposite’s journey with AI art sheds light on the challenges and limitations artists may face when working with these new technologies. While AI has opened up exciting possibilities, it also comes with its drawbacks. The addictive nature, limited creative control, and unexpected outcomes make for a complex relationship between artists and AI. As technology continues to evolve, artists like Supercomposite will continue to navigate this new frontier, pushing the boundaries and questioning the role of AI in the artistic process.
Supercomposite’s exploration of AI art led her to a state of frustration and limitation. The addictive nature of AI, the unexpected and haunting results, and the controversies surrounding her creation, Loab, has caused her to step away temporarily. As an artist, she seeks to find new avenues for creativity, embracing the challenges and limitations of technology. The journey of Supercomposite serves as a reminder that the integration of AI in art demands careful consideration and exploration of its effects on artistic expression.
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