Creative Dialogues | Episode 2: Anna Ridler & Lex Fefegha | Runway Studios

Runway
6 Feb 202406:01

TLDRThe speaker shares their passion for machine learning as a complex and beautiful way to understand the world, emphasizing the importance of the creative process and the human element in AI-driven art. They discuss the challenges and rewards of using AI in their work, drawing parallels with gardening and the unpredictability of outcomes. The speaker also highlights the significance of context and story in their art, and hopes for a diverse future where AI isn't seen as a magic solution but as a tool that requires skill and creativity.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 AI is seen as a complex and beautiful way to understand the world, not just a tool for speeding up processes.
  • ⏰ While AI might see 2 days as 'plenty of time', humans perceive time differently, especially in creative processes.
  • 🎨 The speaker views machine learning not as a simple addition to their work, but as a system of different systems to be explored.
  • 📹 The importance of context and installation in exhibiting AI artwork is emphasized to enhance audience understanding.
  • 🌷 A project using GANs to generate a look of tulips is mentioned, highlighting the creative process behind AI artwork.
  • 🤔 The speaker reflects on the role of AI in art, noting that it doesn't automatically make one great at something; skill and craft are still essential.
  • 🌱 AI is compared to gardening, where planning and conditions are necessary, but outcomes can be unpredictable, yet still appreciated.
  • 🎬 An artwork capturing black men in South London is discussed, showing the importance of story and meaning in creating impactful art.
  • 📸 The evolution of photography and the integration of AI in various forms of visual art is acknowledged.
  • 🌐 The speaker hopes for a future where AI in art is not a homogeneous entity but a diverse and expansive field.

Q & A

  • What does the speaker dislike about the idea of speeding up AI processes?

    -The speaker dislikes the idea of speeding up AI processes because they believe that working with machine learning is a beautiful and complex way of understanding the world, and it should not be rushed or treated as a mere extension of other art forms.

  • How does the speaker view the two-day time frame given to submit work in the context of AI?

    -The speaker finds the two-day time frame insufficient for the intricate and thoughtful process of working with AI, indicating that creating meaningful AI-driven work requires more time and consideration than what was allotted.

  • What is the speaker's perspective on the role of AI in their artwork?

    -The speaker views AI not as a simple tool or a Photoshop filter to be applied to artwork, but as a complex system that can be thoughtfully integrated to create meaningful pieces.

  • How does the speaker feel about the audience's understanding of AI capabilities in their work?

    -The speaker is concerned about the audience's understanding of the capabilities of AI in their work, as they have spent a significant amount of time trying to help the audience grasp the potential of this technology.

  • Can you describe the project the speaker was working on in the Netherlands?

    -The speaker was working on a project in the Netherlands that involved generating a CH look using a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). They used 10,000 photographs of tulips to create a massive installation that aimed to visualize the dream-like state of AI decision-making.

  • What was the outcome of the film the speaker created?

    -The film created by the speaker was exhibited and aimed to visualize what their dreams feel like. It included credits that mentioned the use of specific AI tools, which initially impressed a viewer but then led to a change in perception once the AI involvement was highlighted.

  • How does the speaker compare AI and gardening?

    -The speaker compares AI to gardening in that both require planning, creating ideal conditions, and accepting that not everything will turn out as expected. There is an appreciation for the process and the unexpected outcomes, just as there is in gardening.

  • What does the speaker think about the pursuit of perfection in AI art?

    -The speaker believes that the pursuit of perfection may not be the right approach for AI art, as it is a complex and nuanced field that requires understanding and embracing the imperfections and unexpected results.

  • Can you explain the artwork 'D' that the speaker created?

    -The artwork 'D' captures black men chilling in South London estates, inspired by a photographer named nsky who documented early British hip-hop and black culture. The speaker aimed to contribute to this legacy using their medium, focusing on the story and meaning behind the image.

  • What shift does the speaker hope to see in the future with AI?

    -The speaker hopes that AI will not become a homogeneous thing but will continue to grow and expand into a vast and diverse space, offering a multitude of possibilities and applications across different forms of art and media.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 The Beauty of AI Complexity

The speaker discusses their personal experience with AI, emphasizing that it's not just about speeding up processes, but rather appreciating the intricate and beautiful way AI helps understand the world. They share an anecdote about receiving an email with a two-day deadline for AI-related work, which they find ample time due to the nature of AI. The speaker also highlights the importance of considering how the audience perceives their work and the context in which it is exhibited. They describe a project in the Netherlands involving generative adversarial networks (GANs) to create a visual representation of tulips, which led to a significant installation showcasing the human element in AI decision-making. The speaker expresses a desire to visualize dreams through film and shares an experience where a viewer's perception changed upon learning the film was made with AI tools, underscoring the continued relevance of craft and skill in generative AI.

05:01

🌼 The Garden of AI and Creativity

The speaker draws parallels between gardening and working with AI, emphasizing the need for planning and creating the right conditions for growth, while also accepting the unpredictability of outcomes. They stress that the pursuit of perfection may not be suitable for the creative space of AI. The speaker mentions an artwork called 'the D' that captures black men in South London, inspired by a photographer's work on British hip-hop and black culture. They discuss the importance of craft and storytelling in contributing to existing legacies through one's medium. The speaker also reflects on the evolution of photography and the integration of AI, hoping for a diverse and non-homogeneous future for AI in the creative field.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. In the context of the video, AI is used to emphasize the complex and beautiful ways it can be employed to understand and interact with the world, going beyond simple automation or tools like Photoshop filters.

💡Machine Learning

Machine Learning is a subset of AI that focuses on the development of algorithms and statistical models that allow computers to learn from and make predictions or decisions based on data. In the video, the speaker finds working with machine learning to be an exciting process, highlighting the beauty and complexity of this field rather than just its efficiency.

💡GAN

A Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) is a class of AI models used in unsupervised learning, where two neural networks compete with each other to produce new data. In the video, the speaker describes using a GAN to generate a look using 10,000 photographs of tulips, emphasizing the creative and artistic potential of AI in generating new forms of visual content.

💡Artwork

Artwork refers to any creation that is visually or audibly appreciated as a piece of art, often showcasing the artist's creativity, skill, and vision. In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of presenting their AI-generated projects as artworks in and of themselves, highlighting the human element involved in the AI decision-making process.

💡Dreams

Dreams in the context of the video refer to the subjective and surreal experiences that occur during sleep, which the speaker aims to capture and represent in their film installations. The speaker's interest in visualizing what their dreams feel like illustrates the potential of AI to explore and express abstract and emotional concepts.

💡Gardening

Gardening is the practice of cultivating plants, requiring careful planning, nurturing, and adaptation to the conditions. In the video, the speaker draws a parallel between gardening and working with AI, emphasizing the need for patience, the unpredictability of outcomes, and the appreciation for the process rather than just the end result.

💡Craft

Craft refers to the skill, creativity, and technique involved in making art or other objects. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of craft in their work, suggesting that AI is not a magic tool that replaces the need for skill and artistry, but rather a medium that can be used to enhance and express the artist's vision.

💡British Hip-Hop

British Hip-Hop is a genre of music and culture that originated in the United Kingdom, characterized by its unique style, lyrics, and beats. In the video, the speaker mentions being inspired by a photographer who captured the essence of early British hip-hop and black culture, indicating a desire to contribute to and reflect on this cultural legacy through their own medium of AI art.

💡Photograph

A photograph is a visual representation of a subject, captured using a camera. In the video, the speaker discusses the use of photographs as a starting point for their AI projects, such as the 10,000 photographs of tulips used to generate a GAN look, highlighting the role of photography in the creative process of AI art.

💡Exhibition

An exhibition is a public display of works of art, typically in a gallery or museum. In the video, the speaker talks about the importance of the context in which their AI-generated works are exhibited, emphasizing the need for the audience to understand the technology behind the art and appreciate the creative process.

💡Legacy

Legacy refers to the lasting impact or influence of a person, event, or cultural movement. In the video, the speaker expresses a desire to contribute to the legacy of British hip-hop and black culture through their AI-generated artwork, showing an appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of their work.

Highlights

The speaker values the complexity and beauty of machine learning, seeing it as more than just a tool to speed up processes.

There is a personal connection to the work, as the speaker prefers 2 days to submit to be considered ample time in the AI world.

The speaker finds the process of working with machine learning to be a unique and intricate way of understanding the world.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of the audience's understanding of the technology behind their work.

The speaker's work involves thinking about the context and installation of their art, showing a holistic approach to their craft.

A project in the Netherlands involved using a GAN to generate a visual representation of tulips, highlighting the creative process.

The speaker's realization of the importance of presenting their data-driven artwork as an art form in itself.

The speaker's vision for a massive installation to visualize dreams and the human element in AI decision-making.

The film exhibition experience where the audience's perception changed upon learning the film was made with AI tools.

The speaker's belief that generative AI and AI in general are not magic tools but require skill and craftsmanship.

A comparison between gardening and AI, where planning and conditions are set for growth, but outcomes can be unpredictable.

The speaker discourages the pursuit of perfection in AI art, valuing the unexpected and the human touch.

An artwork called 'the D' captures black men chilling in South London, inspired by photographer nsky's work on British hip-hop and black culture.

The speaker's immersion in the culture and legacy they aim to contribute to through their medium, emphasizing the story behind the image.

The speaker sees a shift from just photography to a broader range of styles and mediums, hoping for a similar evolution in AI.

The speaker envisions a future where AI is not a homogeneous entity but a vast and diverse space.

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