From Analog to AI ft. Drew Nikonowicz // Civitai AiR Session
TLDRWelcome to the Citi.com generative AI art community! In this special live stream, we explore the creative journey of Drew Nikonowicz, a talented photographer and participant in the Civitai Artist in Residence (AiR) program. Drew discusses his experiences with AI, his conceptual photography work, and his ventures into new territories like ROM hacking video games. The conversation delves into his experiments with AI tools, his approach to failure as a creative process, and the insights he gained from pushing the boundaries of generative AI in his artwork.
Takeaways
- 🎨 Drew Nikonowicz, a talented photographer and participant in the Civitai Artist in Residence (AiR) program, discusses his experience with AI in the context of his conceptual photography.
- 🔍 Drew is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Arkansas and is known for his published work, including the book 'This World and Others Like It', which won him several awards.
- 🤖 Drew had no prior experience with generative AI tools but was familiar with diagnostic AI, such as chatbots, which he used for brainstorming and understanding text.
- 📸 Drew's work often explores the relationship between humans and technology, with a particular interest in how AI can be used as a creative tool to generate new ideas.
- 🤝 The conversation between Drew and Chris, the Civitai Art Director, delves into the process of using AI to enhance and challenge traditional artistic practices.
- 🏠 Drew's project 'This World and Others Like It' involves the use of mapping software to create landscapes, reflecting his interest in the intersection of technology and photography.
- 🔧 Drew experimented with training AI on specific images to see how it would interpret and recreate visual elements, leading to interesting and sometimes eerie results.
- 🔄 Despite some experiments not yielding the desired results, Drew sees value in the process of failure as a means to learn and generate new ideas.
- 🌐 Drew's work with AI has expanded his creative toolbox, and he encourages other artists to explore and understand AI as a part of their practice.
- 🔗 The discussion highlights the importance of artists maintaining a relationship with emerging technologies to stay relevant and innovative in their work.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video 'From Analog to AI ft. Drew Nikonowicz // Civitai AiR Session'?
-The main topic of the video is an exploration of the intersection between traditional art forms and AI technology, featuring an interview with Drew Nikonowicz, a talented photographer and participant in the Civitai Artist and Residence program.
Who is Drew Nikonowicz and what is his background in the arts?
-Drew Nikonowicz is a photographer working in the conceptual photography space. He is pursuing his master of Fine Arts at the University of Arkansas, has published a book titled 'this world and others like it', and has won several awards including the aperture portfolio prize and lens scratch student prize.
What is the Civitai Artist and Residence (AiR) program?
-The Civitai AiR program is an initiative that invites artists to explore and engage with AI technology in their creative processes. It provides a platform for artists like Drew Nikonowicz to experiment with AI tools and share their experiences.
What is Drew Nikonowicz's perspective on AI as a tool in his creative process?
-Drew Nikonowicz views AI as a diagnostic tool that can be used for brainstorming and exploring new ideas. He is interested in learning and trying new things, and sees AI as another tool in his creative toolbox.
What is the significance of Drew's project 'this world and others like it'?
-The project 'this world and others like it' is significant because it showcases Drew's conceptual photography work and was the reason he was invited to join the Civitai AiR program. It explores themes of technology, landscape, and human civilization.
What is the role of Chris, the Civitai Art Director, in the AiR program?
-Chris, as the Civitai Art Director, oversees the entire Civitai AiR program, providing support and guidance to the artists in residence, and facilitating their exploration of AI in their artwork.
What is the significance of failure in Drew Nikonowicz's creative practice?
-Failure is significant in Drew Nikonowicz's creative practice as he sees it as a destination and an integral part of the creative process. He believes in failing fast and often to iterate on ideas and reach the desired outcome more quickly.
How does Drew Nikonowicz incorporate technology in his artwork, aside from photography?
-Aside from photography, Drew Nikonowicz incorporates technology in his artwork through various means such as computer simulations, 3D printing, open-source software, and even creating his own large format camera company called Standard Cameras.
What was Drew Nikonowicz's experience like working with AI in the Civitai AiR program?
-Drew Nikonowicz's experience working with AI in the Civitai AiR program was exploratory and experimental. He trained AI models on specific images to see how the AI would interpret and generate new content, leading to insights and unexpected results.
What are some of the themes or concepts that Drew Nikonowicz's artwork explores?
-Drew Nikonowicz's artwork explores themes such as the relationship between humans and technology, the concept of failure in the creative process, and the abstraction of form and landscape in photography.
Outlines
🎨 Introduction to Citi.com and AI Art Community
The video begins with an introduction to Citi.com, a platform for the generative AI art community. The speaker invites viewers to like and subscribe to support the channel, which focuses on high-quality AI community content. A special live stream is announced, featuring an interview with Drew Nickovic, a talented artist and recent addition to the Civetta AI Art Residency program. Drew is a photographer specializing in conceptual photography and has received numerous awards, including the Aperture Portfolio Prize. The conversation is expected to provide valuable insights and creative ideas.
📸 Drew Nickovic's Background and AI Experience
Drew Nickovic discusses his background in photography and his experience with AI tools. He mentions his work in the conceptual photography space and his pursuit of a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Arkansas. Drew also talks about his published book, 'this world and others like it,' and his experience with AI, primarily in a diagnostic capacity for text-based brainstorming. He shares his philosophy on trying new things and the importance of maintaining a relationship with emerging technologies like AI.
🛠 Drew's Journey with Large Format Cameras and Standard Cameras
Drew explains how he started his own large format camera company, Standard Cameras, which produces 8 by 10 sheet film photography equipment. His interest in cameras began in undergrad with a 3D printed 4x5 camera design project. After realizing the cost of purchasing a 4x5 camera post-graduation, Drew decided to complete the project and later successfully funded it through Kickstarter. His company now supports him financially through monthly sales.
🤖 Exploring AI's Role in Art and Creativity
The conversation delves into the role of AI in art and creativity. Drew discusses his perspective on AI as a tool for diagnostic purposes and its potential to expand productivity for artists. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and being aware of AI technologies, especially for artists who work in spaces adjacent to these tools. Drew also shares his thoughts on the necessity for artists to continually learn and adapt to new tools to stimulate their practice.
🎮 Drew's Creative Toolbox and His Passion for Photography
Drew talks about his diverse creative interests, which include analog photography, computer simulations, 3D printing, and open-source software. Despite his many creative pursuits, he identifies photography as his grounding medium. He discusses the importance of pattern recognition in human nature and how his fascination with structure and visual language draws him back to photography. Drew also shares his experience with creating a Super Mario World ROM hack, which brought him joy through audience engagement.
🏠 Drew's First Encounters with Photography and the Impact of Failure
Drew reminisces about his early experiences with photography, starting with a point-and-shoot camera he received in high school. His passion for photography quickly became evident as he took numerous photos, leading to the purchase of a DSLR. He discusses the concept of failure as an integral part of the creative process, using it as a learning opportunity and a stepping stone towards success.
🌐 Drew's Experimentation with AI and the Creation of 'This World and Others Like It'
The discussion shifts to Drew's project 'This World and Others Like It,' which explores the relationship between technology and landscape. Drew describes his process of creating the project, which involved using mapping software to generate landscapes and then photographing them as if they were real. He talks about the project's reception and the impact of technology on his work, as well as his experience with AI and its potential to inspire new ideas.
🔍 Deep Dive into Drew's AI Art Process and Discoveries
Drew shares his process of experimenting with AI in art, starting with training AI on a single image to observe the results. He discusses the limitations and surprises he encountered, such as the AI's focus on graphic details and its inability to break away from certain patterns. Drew also talks about his attempts to introduce variety by training AI on multiple images and the unique outcomes that resulted from these experiments.
🤖 AI's Role in Expanding Artistic Horizons and Drew's Creative Exploration
The conversation highlights the potential of AI to expand the boundaries of artistic creation. Drew discusses his journey with AI, from initial experiments to deeper explorations, and how it has influenced his understanding of art and technology. He shares his thoughts on the importance of embracing failure and the value of using AI as a diagnostic tool to inspire creativity.
🏢 AI's Influence on Architectural and Interior Spaces in Art
Drew explores the influence of AI on the depiction of architectural and interior spaces in art. He discusses the uncanny and unsettling feelings evoked by AI-generated images and how they reflect subconscious anxieties about surveillance and data privacy. Drew also touches on the idea of 'unhomeliness' and the psychological impact of AI-created spaces.
🔁 Drew's Iterative Process with AI and the Quest for Creative Breakthroughs
The summary of this paragraph discusses Drew's iterative process with AI, where he experimented with various prompts and training methods to achieve different results. He talks about the challenges he faced, such as the AI's tendency to focus on certain shapes or elements, and his attempts to break free from these patterns to create more dynamic and varied outputs.
🎓 Final Thoughts on AI and Art from Drew and the Citi.com Team
In the final part of the video script, Drew and the Citi.com team reflect on the experience of working with AI in art. They discuss the value of failure as a creative tool, the potential for AI to inspire new directions in art, and the importance of understanding and embracing these technologies. Drew shares his plans for future projects and how he intends to continue exploring the intersection of art and AI.
📅 Upcoming Events and Opportunities with Citi.com
The video concludes with an announcement of upcoming events and opportunities with Citi.com. The host invites viewers to engage with the platform, apply for the AI Residency program, and participate in the ongoing maintenance page contest. They also tease an upcoming AI Artist Hour with special guest Enigmatic E, promising a session filled with discussion and exploration of AI in art.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Generative AI
💡Civitai
💡Artist Residency
💡Conceptual Photography
💡Diagnostic Tool
💡AI Training
💡Uncanny Valley
💡ROM Hacking
💡Standard Cameras
💡Failure
Highlights
Drew Nikonowicz, a talented photographer and participant in the Civitai Artist Residency program, discusses his experience with AI in the context of his conceptual photography.
Drew's interest in trying new tools for creative practice is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of exploring AI as a diagnostic tool in art creation.
Chris, the Civitai Art Director, introduces Drew's accomplishments, including winning the Aperture Portfolio Prize and publishing his book, showcasing Drew's diverse talents.
Drew's approach to using AI as a brainstorming tool is explored, demonstrating how AI can be integrated into the creative process.
The conversation delves into the potential of AI to enhance productivity for artists, suggesting that not engaging with AI could mean missing out on new creative possibilities.
Drew's journey into creating his own large format camera company, Standard Cameras, is shared, revealing his hands-on approach to photography.
The discussion touches on the importance of understanding and being aware of emerging technologies like AI in the field of art.
Drew's experimentation with AI tools, despite initial lack of experience, is highlighted, showing his willingness to learn and adapt.
The concept of using AI to generate images from a limited dataset is introduced, with Drew's project 'This World and Others Like It' serving as a case study.
Drew's project, involving training AI on a single image to produce variations, is examined, revealing the AI's ability to capture and replicate graphic details.
The conversation explores the idea of failure as a creative destination, suggesting that AI can help artists iterate and refine their ideas more quickly.
Drew's exploration of AI's potential to generate consistent visual elements, such as window frames and grids, is discussed, showing the AI's responsiveness to specific prompts.
The potential of AI to create uncanny and unsettling images is analyzed, with Drew's work demonstrating how AI can evoke a sense of unease.
Drew's attempt to train AI on abstract shapes and the resulting failure is shared, providing insight into the limitations and learning curve of AI tools.
The conversation concludes with Drew's reflections on his experience with AI, emphasizing the value of understanding and experimenting with new tools in art.