Obvious

France

Obvious is a collective of researchers, artists, and friends, working with the latest models of deep learning to explore the creative potential of artificial intelligence. They use their work to share their vision of artificial intelligence and its implementation in our society. In 2018, they were behind the sale of the first AI artwork to go through the major auction house. Christie's. This artwork, 'Portrait d'Edmond de Belamy' sold for an incredible $432,500.

Since then, the artists have been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, as well as art magazines such as artnet, The Art Newspaper, Artsy, and other media, including CNN, CNBC, the Financial Times and more. In Obvious' manifesto, they state the following: 'We wish to demonstrate that algorithms help us complete our understanding of how we function as humans, and push us to outsmart our current level of creativity'.


Obvious_AI.jpg

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Temple_of_Artemis_at_Ephesus_Obvious_AI.mov

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, as seen by text-to-image algorithms fed with ancient texts.

“A wonderful monument of Grecian magnificence, and one that merits our genuine admiration.” Pliny the Elder, CE 77, The Natural History, BOOK XXXVI, 21

“I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, «Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand.“ Antipater of Sidon, BCE 140 Greek Anthology IX.58

“And afterwards around that image was raised a shrine of broad foundations. That it shall dawn behold nothing more divine, naught richer.” Callimachus, BCE 238, Hymns III. to Artemis, v. 248-250

technique

ai

format

landscape

duration

00:40

year

2022

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Generative art
Generative art refers to a way of creating artworks using an autonomous system. In digital art, these are usually generated from code and algorithms created by the artist, often with certain predefined parameters or systems. Although these parameters guide the final outcome of the work, generative art is generally a surprising way to create artworks, as the results are often unexpected and the number of possible outcomes can be infinite.
AI
AI art is a branch of generative art that uses artificial intelligence. Unlike other generative artworks, AI artworks use specific complex algorithms and models derived from machine learning. The most common methods for creating AI art today are GANs (generative adversarial networks) or proprietary prompting platforms such as ChatGPT, Sora, Midjourney, or Dall-e.
3D
3D art uses 3D software such as Blender, Cinema4D, Houdini, or video game software such as Unity to create works of art. In 3D works, artists can either arrange assets (the 'objects' in a 3D artwork or world) that they have created themselves or purchased from other creators to create elaborate environments and scenes (an approach to 3D art called 'set dressing'), or specialize in sculpting, which involves creating their own objects and assets.
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is a specialized 3D technique that allows 3D objects to be created from numerous photographs taken of an object or scene from multiple angles. These photos are then compiled to determine the specific positioning, shape, and dimensions of the object in space, and then converted into a 3D model. Initially developed for engineering and urban planning, photogrammetry has become a way for artists to produce extremely accurate 3D models from real-life images.
Collage
An extension of the traditional, plastic approach to collage, digital collage involves searching for and cutting out multiple images, extracting them from their original context, and recomposing them in a new arrangement to create a work of art. Artists can use their own photographs or find images on the internet.
Illustration
Digital illustrations are created using software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Procreate. As with drawing on paper, the artist uses a stylus to sketch a figure or object, usually on a tablet, to construct a scene or artistic universe. Unlike traditional drawing methods, digital illustration is much more forgiving, as mistakes can be easily corrected and drawn elements and objects can be easily moved around within a scene.
Video
Video artworks primarily use a recording camera, but may sometimes include additional post-processing or editing to distort, modify or add additional elements to the image. Some artists use state-of-the-art recording equipment to create macro zoom-ins or time lapses, privileging fidelity to the subject matter. Others use additional softwares to significantly modify or warp the video, creating an alternative perspective on the world that surrounds us.

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