My call for works of AI-based fine art came up with only a few scant examples (besides Nettrice Gaskins), but this artist definitely qualifies: Niceaunties, who expresses her family dynamics and Singapore/Chinese culture through various artificial intelligence programs. Like the one above, "We Are Good":
"We are Good' is a story set in the Auntieverse about two solitary characters who find companionship in each other. In a dense cityscape reminiscent of Hong Kong, an encounter takes place between an auntie with a cat's face and a cat with an auntie's face... The story explores themes of identity, connection, joy, and comfort. This AI film was created, animated, and edited by Niceaunties in the programmes Dalle3, Magnific.ai and Runwayml.
Having grown up among a large Chinese-American family on my dad's side in Hawai'i, I instantly, deeply resonate with these images on a cultural level, and they're just totally delightful.
More from the artist's website:
Born in the 1980s, during the nation-building years of Singapore, the artist behind "Niceaunties" experienced a childhood shaped by the influential women in their family. From infancy to the age of nine, they lived with grandparents, aunties, and uncles while their parents worked...
he term "auntie" in this context refers to an older woman, often characterized by traits of resourcefulness, adherence to rules, traditionalism, and a tendency to be opinionated. Stemming perhaps from the austerity of a pioneering nation, this 'survival mechanism' often paints 'the auntie' in a less than flattering light. However, the artist recognizes the inherent unfairness in this perception, seeing the auntie as a figure doing her best in familiar ways, sometimes offering well-intentioned, albeit unsolicited, advice.
This is the kind of artistic ambition and precise quality of execution that merits a regular showing in the MOMA. As with Dr. Gaskins, Niceaunties leverages AI to express culture and social dynamics in a new, exciting context.
Interview with Niceaunties here. And much thanks to Christine Kozobaric for the recommendation! A few more solid examples like this, and I'm liable to go from AI art skeptic to passionate advocate.
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