In the era of artificial intelligence, one can rapidly be inundated with possibilities. An AI system churns out thousands of visual artworks, each piece made with a prompt (you can program random prompts, like “a { painting | photo } of a glass of { wine | coffee }”, which will build prompts by choosing the words in brackets. In this burgeoning space of infinite creativity, there emerges a new role, as critical as it is understated – the “Casual Curator.”
The Dawn of Creation
You program a good long prompt, make 2500 images, and in the morning you are greeted by a treasure trove of thousands of images, each crafted overnight by the tireless algorithms of the AI system. Every piece is unique, inviting a gaze, and demanding attention. But what to do with this embarrassment of riches?
The Dual Dilemma
One faces two immediate challenges.
First, determine the destination of these AI-generated artworks. Will they grace the virtual walls of an online gallery, or will they morph into a YouTube movie?
Second, and perhaps more critically, I must curate. I’m not just a casual observer. My eye must sift through the sea of these pictures to select those pieces.
The Eye of the Beholder
Being a Casual Curator is no casual task… It requires a visual culture. Everybody has one!
So yesterday I made almost 3000 images, with two programs, with prompts using the name of a Russian painter named Arkhyp Kuindzhi. Elements of nature, but also Science-Fiction, because… why not?
Now I’m embarrassed. I have to curate. But… what for?
Thanks for reading!
Here are 18 pictures coming from one single prompt.
Some images are just paintings. Others captivate me with their intriguing lighting or compelling compositions. I have the ability to guide the prompts, leading the model to generate specific types of imagery. Certain pictures inspire dialogue, while others when paired together, have the potential to weave a narrative, don’t you think?
What do the sisters say?