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Who's the real artist

Midjourney vs. The Artist

March 01, 20247 min read

“The Art of Life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” - Kakuzo Okakura

The Artist Predicament. MidJourney is here. What now?

Part 1: The Sky is Falling (Or is it?)

Okay folks, let's be honest. Midjourney showed up to the party, and it's got skills. Like, "paint me a photorealistic portrait of a cat dressed as a samurai battling a lobster on a pirate ship" kind of skills. In about five seconds. Meanwhile, you spent ten hours last week mixing the perfect shade of blue, and your cat just knocked over your easel... again.

This whole AI art thing has been a bit of a gut punch, hasn't it? We've poured years into mastering our craft, and now some algorithm with an internet connection thinks it can out-artist us. It's enough to make you want to hurl your paintbrushes in frustration (or at least switch to digital where erasing is a thing).

But before we all go collectively buy a secluded island and start an "AI-free" artist commune, let's take a deep breath. Yes, the art world is changing, but maybe change isn't always a bad thing. Maybe AI is less of an artistic apocalypse and more of... well, we'll figure that out along the way.

Let's explore this brave new AI-infused world together, shall we? We'll talk about the good, the bad, and the utterly bizarre images you can make from typing random words into a text box.

Part 2: The Fear is Real (Maybe a Little Too Real)

Let's not sugarcoat it. Seeing what AI can generate can send shivers down an artist's spine. Suddenly, clients looking for quick illustrations, concept art, or even portraits might start thinking, "Why pay a human when I can type some keywords and get a decent result in minutes?"

And hey, I get it. As artists, we're used to our skills being something special, even a little magical. Seeing an algorithm casually whip up something that would've taken us hours, even days, feels like a betrayal. Is this the end of art as we know it? Will we all be replaced by computers churning out endless variations of hyper-realistic corgis wearing party hats?

Then there's this whole "what even IS art anymore?" dilemma. If a computer can spit out gorgeous visuals with a simple prompt, are the hours we spend painstakingly crafting an image less meaningful? Does "prompt engineer" deserve a spot next to "painter" or "sculptor"?

Look, I don't have all the answers. No one does, really. But I think panicking about robot overlords replacing us all is a little premature. At least for now...

Let me know if you'd like Part 3 to focus on the potential benefits of AI for artists or dive straight into the thorny issues of copyright and ownership!

Part 3: Who Owns This Masterpiece, Anyway?

And now it's finally time to talk about the elephant in the AI-generated art room: copyright. Who owns these images that seem to magically appear from a text prompt? The AI? The person who typed the words? The poor unsuspecting soul whose art style was blatantly mimicked? It's a legal minefield. Unless you live (or your company is registered there) in Japan. They made their stance clear: it's all allowed. No copyrights when it comes to AI generated works. Period.

Here's the thing: most AI art generators have terms and conditions that basically say, "We're giving you cool images to play with, but don't assume you have full ownership." You might be able to use them for personal stuff or even some limited commercial uses, but selling prints, claiming sole authorship, or suing someone for making something similar? That's tricky.

And don't even get me started on the AI that's been trained on millions of copyrighted images. Is it fair that your hard-earned art style could potentially be regurgitated in another AI-generated piece? Is it a flattering form of imitation or straight-up theft? These are questions artists AND lawyers are grappling with right now.

In this Wild West of AI art, there's bound to be a lot of confusion and potential clashes. For now, tread carefully. Be mindful of the images you use for inspiration or source material, and keep a close eye on how copyright laws evolve in this rapidly changing landscape.

Part 4: The Artist Strikes Back (with a paintbrush...and maybe a keyboard)

Okay, artists, let's wipe those despairing looks off our faces and roll up our sleeves. Yes, AI art generators are impressive, but that doesn't mean we're all doomed to obsolescence. Remember those technical skills we spent years honing? Yeah, those still matter. A lot.

Understanding composition, color theory, and the vast history of art? Those are superpowers no algorithm can fully replicate yet. While AI can churn out technically proficient images, it often lacks the emotional depth, the storytelling, and the subtle nuances that make human-made art truly resonate.

Plus, the artist's role might evolve in exciting ways. Think of AI as a sometimes-quirky, always-enthusiastic assistant. We might spend less time on initial sketches and more time curating, refining, and adding our unique stamp to AI-generated outputs. It's like collaborating with a weird, incredibly talented intern.

Let's not forget that AI can be a fantastic tool. Stuck on a concept? Have it generate some variations for inspiration. Need a bunch of background elements quickly? Let the AI whip some up while you focus on the main subject. Think of it as supplementing your existing skills, not replacing them.

And here's where things get really interesting: those specialized niches. AI might excel at generic fantasy landscapes, but can it capture the raw emotion in an abstract expressionist piece? Or the specific humor embedded in your satirical cartoons? Probably not. There's always room for the human touch.

As AI art becomes commonplace, the story of how you created something will become just as important as the final product. Your process, inspiration, and unique perspective become your selling point. There will always be an audience that craves the authenticity and meaning only a human artist can provide.

So, chin up fellow creatives! We are living through an artistic revolution, and it's up to us to navigate it. Will it be challenging? Absolutely. Can we emerge from this stronger and more versatile? You bet.

Part 5: The AI Art Adventure Begins (Where to Now?)

Here's the thing about this whole AI art situation: there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some artists might dive headfirst, turning themselves into prompt-writing virtuosos. Others might stubbornly stick to their oil paints and charcoal, refusing to acknowledge the robot in the room. And many of us will probably land somewhere in the messy, exciting middle ground.

The key is experimentation. Play with the AI tools, see what they can do, but also discover their very obvious limitations. Find ways to incorporate them into your process – if they add something valuable. Push the boundaries, make weird stuff, see if this strange new technology sparks ideas you would've never had otherwise.

And while we're experimenting, let's not shy away from the big philosophical questions. Is art only "art" if it springs from the depths of a human soul? When does AI-assisted work cross the line into true collaboration? Can AI-generated images ever evoke the same emotional response as a piece crafted with years of practice and emotional depth?

These aren't questions with easy answers. In a way, they're the same questions artists have been grappling with for centuries. What makes a masterpiece? Why do we create? What makes something resonate with an audience? These questions just got a whole lot more complex.

So, fellow artists, the AI art adventure has begun. Where it takes us, we'll discover together. Buckle up, get those experimental juices flowing, and don't be afraid to get a little messy. It's going to be a wild ride!

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