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ARTIST AND THE MACHINE: FT. DAVE KRUGMAN
On AI and photography, adapting to new models as an artist, Midjourney prompts, combining toolsets
Dani Van de Sande
June 15, 2023
Happy Thursday, Cyborgs.
Welcome to Artist and The Machine, a bi-weekly download of AI and culture. Every other week, we feature an artist at the helm of today’s paradigm shift, highlighting the magical synergy between creator & technology.
Today’s edition is particularly juicy, as we dive into some very tactical and inspiring workflows by an absolute genius…
FEATURING: DAVE KRUGMAN đź‘˝
AI is a tool. Do not reject it, do not be afraid of it. Use its powers for good, and in novel ways that can help inform your work. All technology, from a paintbrush to a camera to a computer, was also new and novel at some point as well. This moment is no different. Explore this technology and you will certainly see how it can open up so many new worlds for us all.
Dave Krugman’s journey as an artist has always been intertwined with technology. And he’s always 5 steps ahead of the curve - just spend a few minutes talking to him and you’ll get a glimpse of the future.
First, it was camera technology… the first digital cameras allowed Dave to use the power of computing to take his work as an artist to the next level.
Then it was social. Dave was early to Tumblr and Instagram. This showed him the power of networked art, community as a canvas, and exposed him to powerful feedback loops that helped him iterate and grow as an artist. It also helped him build a massive following and reach.
Next, Dave discovered the power of blockchain, and what can be achieved by building a community of “1000 true fans.” This led him to create massively popular collections and generate $1M+ in NFT sales, all while uplifting countless other artists in his community to do the same along the way (Dave founded creative community ALLSHIPS to highlight and nurture rising talent within the NFT art community and beyond, since “a rising tide raises all ships.”)
Blending photograph + AI
My version of a Met Gala outfit made with AI
I can see a world in which AI influences all sorts of designs. Here I imagine a space I’d love to relax in, using Midjourney + ChatGPT
Q: Before we go all the way into the future, a quick trip down memory lane…what are some toolsets that inspired you in the earlier tech days? Do any related inspirations shape how you approach your artistry today?
A: My journey with art is inextricably intertwined with technology. At every stage of my creative evolution, cutting edge tools have helped me take my work to the next level and stand out from a crowded field. First, of course, was camera technology. I was in awe of the chemical process of photography- the magic of an image coming to life in a darkroom. From there, the first digital cameras allowed me to use the power of computing to take my work to the next level. Early social networks like Tumblr and Instagram showed me the power of networked art, community as a canvas, and exposed me to powerful feedback loops that helped me iterate and grow as an artist.
Q: Is there a workflow that you’re particularly fond of that involves AI or other related toolsets in creating your work?
A: There are so many amazing tools to use when incorporating AI into my photographic explorations, but for the sake of being concise, I’d love to share my favorite ways to use Midjourney.
Midjourney has a feature called /describe, where you can upload any image and it will write 4 prompts based on the visuals it sees. You can then modify the prompts and run them, to see how the machine interprets the visual inputs. The results you can achieve with this are astounding.
However, you can take it a step further and use /blend command, mixing the original image BACK into the new output, so you have this sort of hybrid of reality and AI hallucination. Its a really fun way to see how neural nets see the world.
Here’s the original photograph
Next, I used /describe on Midjourney to generate 4 prompts based on the image it sees
Then, took it a step further using /blend to mix the original image BACK into the new output, so you have this sort of hybrid of reality and AI hallucination.
And…magic!
The final choice, a blend between my original photograph & AI
Another fun thing to do is to combine ChatGPT and Midjourney. I have an alt account called 0xAndr0id where all the captions are ChatGPT and all the images are Midjourney. Together they combine to create a conceptual science fiction world made by AI. You can also use ChatGPT to flesh out short prompts into much longer, more detailed ones.
Workflow: Using ChatGPT to prompt Midjourney
Q: What are some of your favorite artworks you’ve created that involved AI or other related toolsets?
A: One of my favorite ways to use AI is product concepting. Think of something you'd like to see as a product, and AI can whip it up for you. I expect so many fashion brands and product designers to start using this. Above you can see my vision of a MET GALA outfit created with AI.
Q: How do you see AI helping artists vs. being a hindrance or competitor?
A: AI is like any other creative tool. It can be abused to make mountains of digital garbage, or it can be used to make moving and inspirational creative output. It is up to each individual to make their own effort to create something beautiful.
It’s a bit subjective. As a helper, AI can save time on concepting, give us new ideas to weave into our process, show us what is possible, give us novel ideas, and open new worlds to us. AI is a synthesizer for the visual cortex, it lets you make visuals from pure imagination with no technical skill required. The list goes on.
As a hindrance / competitor, I think the risks are that it can make us lazy, it can make us feel useless / replaceable, and it can confuse and confound us along our path to create beauty. As a competitor, unfortunately AI images will replace much of the content in advertising, such as stock imagery, article headers, graphic design, infographics etc.
Artists will have to adapt to new models - in my opinion, artists who build robust communities of interconnected advocates are the ones who will make it through this gauntlet. When visual beauty is abundant, relationships matter more than ever.
Q: Who else should we have on our radar?!
A: Some of my favorite people working with AI lately are REO, Sy the Ai Photo Guy, joooo.an, and dronindroid
Thank you, Dave!! Continue to follow the brilliant Dave Krugman here.
ARTIST AND THE MACHINE is a newsletter on the latest in AI x culture, featuring one cutting-edge artist every other week. Subscribe so you never miss an issue, and if you’re feeling inspired, and share with 2-3 friends! And send us some feedback :)
About the Author
Hello, and thanks for reading! I’m Dani, and I was inspired to create Artist and The Machine from the belief that technology is about more than just utility - it has the power to unlock humanity’s creative potential. I consider myself an artist without a medium, and so I’m on a quest to uncover the power of AI and new toolsets (ie “the “machine”) to unlock my own, and everyone else’s, creative expression.
On the career front - I’ve been tinkering around with digital art, blockchain, and growth marketing since 2013, and have had the privilege of helping global brands such as Snap Inc, Whalerock, NARS/Shiseido, Chrome Hearts, Drake, Outside Media, Art Miami and many more navigate the space. I recently started ULO (short for Unidentified Landed Object), a next-gen agency and experience studio helping brands activate compelling use cases at the intersection of innovation (Web3/AI/Immersive) and culture.