AI, Artist and Aspiration - the Artist with the Recipe to Triple-check the Modern Art!

Take a look at our recent penned encounter with Tapan Aslot as he shared with us his journey and vision!

Tapan: In March 2022, a friend introduced me to the concept of text-to-image, which sparked my curiosity and eventually, led me to transition from a Creative Director to an AI Artist.

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted many industries, including creative and advertising agencies, and the demand for faster routes that do not compromise on quality or accuracy increased. The switch to AI Art was driven by an internal desire to explore new creative avenues, as well as the possibility of having an art director in the form of an AI assistant.

NLP (Natural Language Processing) has been a game-changer for creatives like me, who have little or no knowledge of coding. Initially, I was drawn to this medium because of its remarkable speed. However, what really captivated me was the incredible opportunity it offered to express even the most intricate thoughts and ideas in ways that would ordinarily be difficult to achieve with conventional technology.

Tapan: I start with writing prompts on a paper first. It is easier to think with a pen or pencil in my hand. As a communication design graduate with a major in animation film-making, I put my classroom knowledge to use.

When creating an artwork, I focus on three key elements: Composition, Mood, and Era - the goal being able to produce an image that communicates effectively without any accompanying text. While a lengthy description may provide insight into my thought process, the image itself should be able to convey the intended message independently.

To achieve the desired result, I generate 60-70 renders for a single artwork, often by iterating on the same prompt and exploring variations rather than creating entirely new prompts each time.

Tapan: My creative touch in character design is rooted in harmony. I believe that a character's attire, era, location, pose, and expression should synchronize to create an immersive experience for the viewer. While the artwork may feature juxtaposition, there must be a binding factor that seamlessly connects the various elements of the character design.

Tapan: As an artist, I find immense fulfillment in capturing the exquisite beauty of Indian culture and heritage and presenting their regal and royal facets to the world. India, with its ancient civilization, provides a plethora of opportunities to create art. It is of utmost importance to preserve such invaluable culture and heritage.

I firmly believe in growing tall without severing roots, and in the process of creating my art, I have the privilege of exploring diverse topics which invariably benefit my discerning audience.

Tapan, on challenges : Creating characters from different Indian communities or states was challenging in the past since AI platforms were developed by Western countries, and the training data set was a bit biased. However, with the significant rise in users from India, the dataset has increased.

With each new update, developers are expanding their vision and adding more cultural references, making it easier for people from India and other countries with diverse cultures to create art that celebrates their heritage.

Tapan: When starting with AI Art, it is important to consider what you want to express, primarily. Once you have a clear idea of what you want to create, you are already halfway there. Rather than narrowing down your resources, it is recommended to try out various products and tools to find what works best for you.

When selecting a tool, I consider the following criteria: user-friendliness, a dedicated tool (rather than a one-tool-for-all product), Web3 compatibility, and data security.

Tapan: The novel, ‘Yù Yī’, which means The Desire to Feel Intensely Again, is a fitting title for a dystopian world where AI Art reigns supreme. This made-up word from the book 'Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows' encapsulates the longing for emotional depth and connection that can only be found through the varied and rich world of art.

Tapan: I support the commercialization of AI arts as it is essential to stay relevant and competitive in the industry. I believe anything that does not contribute to the economy will eventually become obsolete. Incorporating AI into commercial projects provides an opportunity to explore the potential of AI in art and design, which can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in the field.

My pursuit, Metaphor AI, explores the intersection of AI and design, and it is a testament to how commercializing AI can be advantageous, for both the economy and creative industry.

Tapan: As an AI Artist in India, one of the biggest advantages is the rich and diverse culture that can be expressed through AI Art. Another advantage is the opportunity to be at the forefront of the technological revolution and establish oneself as a pioneer. With AI being a relatively new field in India, AI Artists have a beginner's advantage as the field is growing, and there are very few users now.

They can play a key role in shaping the future of art and technology by creating a platform for the next generation of artists to build upon.

Tapan, with a critical anecdote : In the past year, I challenged myself to create 31 AI artworks in 31 days based on suggestions from others. Despite putting a great deal of time and effort into each piece and utilizing various prompts, the project received the lowest engagement and appreciation rate. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially since my "Holi in outer space" series received approximately half a million views on LinkedIn.

But this experience gave me the opportunity to reflect and consider whether I should prioritize creating art for myself or for others.

Tapan: 'When an Astronaut Discovered Life in an Earth-like Environment on an Alien Planet' - a 100% MidJourney creation.

It was created during a time when MidJourney was not yet fully equipped with all the updates and features we enjoy today and thus required a tremendous effort on my part. It embodies the hope and wonders that one day, humans may experience such a momentous discovery and that it will be the cherished moment for generations to come.

Tapan: When considering the use of AI in art, it is important to distinguish between two types of users: those who employ it for leisure or entertainment, and those who are artists or designers.

For the former, the machine's contribution tends to overshadow human creativity or ingenuity, resulting in unremarkable or formulaic creations. In contrast, the latter group brings their unique vision and style to the creative process, guiding and molding the machine to achieve the desired outcome.

In this way, the artist's authenticity is not compromised, but rather augmented by the remarkable capabilities of a powerful system that is both responsive and opinionated, providing ample space for creative collaboration.

Tapan: My dream concept art project would be to create visuals for a music video featuring the legendary A. R. Rahman and Ustad Mohi Bahauddin Dagar. Their collaboration on 'Harmony with A. R. Rahman' was a mesmerizing experience that will always remain close to my heart.

Tapan: I am excited about the possibilities that AI presents. My goal is to create more practical applications that showcase the true potential of this technology. With my work, I hope to dispel any concerns people may have and inspire them to embrace this exciting new technology.