Digital Patina

A Potter's Dream: From Jingdezhen Clay to Digital Dreamscapes

There's a magic to Jingdezhen, the "Porcelain Capital" of China. Last year, that magic became my reality as I embarked on a nine-day residency, a dream come true for any ceramic enthusiast.

This wasn't just about learning a technique. It was a journey into the heart of ancient artistry. With each touch of clay, I felt a dialogue with history begin. The potter's wheel became a conduit, transporting me through time. Vibrant glazes breathed life into my creations, echoing the dreamlike strokes of Jingdezhen's rich heritage.

But the learning extended beyond the studio walls. Shared stories from the town's residents deepened my connection to the craft. Pottery in Jingdezhen transcended mere skill; it was a fusion of soul and tradition. It was a dream fulfilled amidst the echoes of centuries past.

From Clay to Canvas: Capturing Serenity with the Crackle

Inspired by the captivating crackle patterns found in porcelain glaze, I knew I had to incorporate them into my work. This mesmerizing detail brought a natural, simple, and tranquil aesthetic to my digital paintings. The fine, uniform cracks echoed the beauty of traditional ceramics, creating a visually engaging texture. By seamlessly blending this technique into my digital creations, I aimed to evoke a sense of serenity and simplicity, capturing the essence of the timeless beauty seen in porcelain craftsmanship.

A Landscape Painted in Dreams and Porcelain

My residency in Jingdezhen sparked a series of abstract landscapes. Imagine mountains, serene lakes, houses nestled amidst nature, and birds soaring above - all embellished with the delicate cracks reminiscent of Ru Kiln porcelain glaze. These pieces are a celebration of nature's serene beauty, intertwined with the unparalleled artistry of human craftsmanship. They are a bridge between the essence of the landscape and the intricate patterns found in ancient porcelain art.

This is just the beginning of my artistic journey inspired by Jingdezhen. Stay tuned for more explorations from this land where dreams are molded from clay, and artistry echoes through the ages. I named this style “Digital Patina”. "Patina" is a surface change that adds character, referencing the aged effect of cracks.

AI in Contemporary Art: A Collaborative Approach

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world, and art is no exception. AI is now being used to create stunning and innovative works of art, and it is also being used to collaborate with human artists in new and exciting ways.

One such collaboration is the "Childhood Memories" project I am working on. In this project, I use AI to generate reference images of my childhood memories in China in the 1970s and 1980s. I then uses these reference images to create paintings that are both nostalgic and heartwarming.

Here is my process:

"I start by thinking about a specific memory from my childhood. I might remember a particular place, person, or event. Once I have a memory in mind, I start to brainstorm keywords that I can use to generate reference images with AI. I might use keywords like 'locust tree,' 'shuttlecock kicking,' or 'abacus.' Once I have a list of keywords, I use an AI image generator to create a series of reference images. If I’m not happy with the generated image, I could blend it with some of my drawings to create new images. I might also remix new key words with an image to fine-tune it."

Once I have generated some reference images, I begin the process of painting. I use the reference images to capture the essence of the memory, but I also rely on my own artistic skills and judgment to create a unique and original work of art.

I don't want to simply copy the reference images. I want to use them as inspiration to create something new and different. Most importantly, I want it to connect my feelings of the past and capture the essence of my memories.

The "Childhood Memories" project is an example of how AI and human artists can collaborate to create something truly special. My paintings are a testament to the power of AI to help us explore our memories and to the importance of human creativity in the art-making process.

In addition to the "Childhood Memories" project, there are many other examples of AI and human artists collaborating to create art. For example, some artists are using AI to generate new color palettes, to create new textures, or to experiment with new forms. Other artists are using AI to create interactive art installations or to generate new ideas for their work.

The collaboration between AI and human artists is still in its early stages, but it is clear that AI has the potential to revolutionize the art world. AI can help artists to create new and innovative works of art, and it can also help artists to explore their creativity in new and exciting ways.

Shuttercock Kicking

Shuttlecock kicking, or Ti Jianzi, was one of the favorite games for girls when I was a child. After school, girls would always gather in twos and threes to play shuttlecock kicking, taking turns to kick and count. The goal was simple: keep the shuttlecock from touching the ground. You could kick it in any direction, forwards, backwards, or even jump and kick it - all counted as points!

We even made our own shuttlecocks using a copper coin, a piece of cloth, and the prettiest rooster feathers we could find. The person with the coolest shuttlecock would get lots of jealous looks!

The Locust Tree

This painting portrays the locust tree that grew outside my parents' third-floor condo when I was a child.

I remember when the locust tree would bloom in the summer. We would take the clusters of flowers and mix them with sugar to make the stuffing for steamed buns. It was a simple pleasure, but it was a sweet one.

To follow my progress in this project, you can visit my Instagram page here.

Ten misunderstandings about AI art

As an artist with a computer science degree, I’m fascinated by the development of AI art. I have played with various generative AI tools, studied white papers on generative AI algorithms, and experimented with AI art using code written with OpenAI APIs. Although I agree that AI art still has many limitations, there are many misunderstandings about what AI art is and what it can do. In this post, I will explore ten common misunderstandings about AI art and why they are incorrect.

1. AI art is completely autonomous Many people believe that AI art is entirely autonomous and does not require human input. While it's true that AI algorithms can generate artwork without direct human input, the artist still plays an essential role in designing and training the algorithm and selecting the output that best aligns with their creative vision. For example, earlier Midjourney versions cannot accurately draw human hands despite being trained on the enormous data set, it took special training to improve it and it is much better in the latest version.

2. AI art is just random output Another misconception is that AI-generated artwork is random and lacks creative intent or direction. While AI algorithms can produce a vast number of output variations, the artist still provides the direction and purpose behind the artwork's creation. In fact, different prompts could result in drastically different results, and fine-tuning an image might take more time and effort to achieve an artist’s vision.

3. AI art is not art Some people argue that AI-generated artwork cannot be considered true art because it lacks the intention and emotion associated with human creativity. However, this view overlooks the fact that AI art can still convey meaning, symbolism, and aesthetic beauty, and it can also challenge traditional notions of authorship and creativity because AI art took input from human beings and is created under human instructions.

4. AI art is a threat to human creativity There is a concern that AI-generated artwork could replace human artists and diminish the value of human creativity. However, AI art should be viewed as a complementary tool to help artists explore new creative possibilities and push the boundaries of traditional art forms.

5. AI art is easy to create There is a perception that AI-generated artwork is easy to create, and anyone can produce it with minimal effort. However, creating high-quality AI art requires a deep understanding of AI algorithms, technical skills, and artistic vision.

6. AI art lacks creativity One of the biggest misunderstandings about AI art is that it lacks creativity. Critics argue that since AI algorithms are programmed to create based on existing data, they can never be creative. However, this overlooks the fact that AI can generate unique and unexpected results that even the programmer may not have foreseen. Additionally, AI art can inspire human artists to explore new creative avenues and techniques.

7. AI art is unethical Some argue that AI-generated artwork is unethical because it exploits the labor of machines and devalues human creativity. However, this argument overlooks the fact that AI art is still created and directed by humans, and it can serve as a tool for exploring new creative possibilities and pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms.

8. AI art is a novelty Some people view AI-generated artwork as a passing novelty that lacks any long-term artistic or cultural significance. However, AI art is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to transform how we create, consume, and understand art.

9. AI art is all the same There is a perception that AI-generated artwork is all the same and lacks the diversity and individuality associated with human creativity. However, AI algorithms can be trained to produce an almost infinite variety of output variations, and artists can use AI as a tool to explore new creative possibilities and push the boundaries of traditional art forms.

10. AI art is a gimmick Finally, some people view AI-generated artwork as a gimmick, designed to generate buzz and media attention rather than to create meaningful art. However, AI art should be viewed as a new and exciting tool for artists to create complex and thought-provoking artwork that challenges traditional notions of creativity and authorship.

In conclusion, AI art is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to transform how we create, consume, and understand art. I believe that we can collaborate with AI to elevate human creativity to the next level.