Eliza Pratt – Looking Outwards – 06

Robbie Barrat is an AI researcher who works with generative adversarial networks (GANs) to create randomly computed works of art. By feeding a GAN pictures of a specific subject matter, the AI takes in random numbers to generate images that reflect similar features. Not only am I fascinated by this algorithm’s ability to create these portraits, but I admire the distinctive style that the AI has adopted. The random generation of colors, textures, and shapes produces a Dali-like surrealism in these images. While I’ve seen random computer generated art before, I had never considered that it could be programmed to capture the aesthetics of traditional painting. Discovering work as expressive and “human” as this project leads me to believe that AI will be a promising asset to modern artists.