LookingOutwards-02

Google’s DeepDream program, initially created to identify patterns in images with the goal of classifying them, is a generative art program that transforms normal images into surrealist art. The algorithm learns patterns in images and repeats them in order to create psychedelic, dream-like art. Google uses a “convolutional neural network” in this program, which is an artificial neural network based on the animal visual cortex. Because the program was developed by a company rather than an individual artist, no one artist’s “artistic sensibilities” really manifest in their algorithm; however, Google has a website that allows others to upload their own images and run them through the algorithm (and allows for varying degrees of distortion) which lets the user to bring their own artistic sensibilities. I find this particularly inspiring, as it isn’t just one person creating art, but an entire network of people.
It was released in July 2015.