AI Art Collection: The Generative Garden

✨ What are the implications of AI replicating a flower’s aesthetics without understanding the complexities of their growth and evolution?

As a photographer and digital artist with a deep appreciation for both nature and technology, recently I embarked on an exciting journey into the world of AI-driven art, particularly focusing on realistic image generation, or “AI photography.” After months of engaging in a dialogue with the algorithm about plants—their colors, symbolism, textures—and the centuries-old tradition of admiring flowers in visual arts, this exploration culminated in the creation of my first AI art collection: The Generative Garden.

---

My Two True Passions

This collection is born out of a genuine curiosity and a love for exploring how different elements can come together in unexpected ways. Being an avid gardener, I spend countless hours observing the nuances of flowers. So It felt natural to focus on flowers for this project, using AI text-to-image technology to explore their beauty in a new light.

The result is a series of 10 still life images reflecting a blend of my observations and the AI’s interpretations: Blue Tulips, Daffodils, Dandelions, Hibiscus, Pink Tulips, Poppies, Strelitzias, Waratahs, Wildflowers and Yellow Tulips.

The Experimental Approach

Working with AI has been both enlightening and challenging. It felt like engaging in a dialogue with a creative partner, bringing new ideas and variations to the table, often surprising me with interpretations I hadn’t considered. This process wasn’t just about generating images; it was about understanding the AI’s capabilities and exploring how it could push the boundaries of traditional artistic expression. It raised new questions about observation, and how our cultural baggage defines our visual narratives.

My Artistic Process

In creating “The Generative Garden,” I used Midjourney v5.1 and v6.0, my preferred text-to-image model after experimenting with several others. For those who don’t know it yet, this tool translates descriptive prompts into visual compositions. I meticulously crafted these prompts—specifying the species, color gradients of petals, textures of leaves, and symbolic meanings of various flowers—to guide the AI in generating images that blend digital precision with organic beauty. Some pieces required numerous iterations to achieve a visual representation that captivated me. I would then delve deeper into these samples, obsessively refining details. Once I achieved the desired results, I further processed the images in Photoshop, carefully adjusting color palettes, lighting, and shadows. This meticulous process allowed me to explore various visual styles, resulting in a collection that is both diverse and cohesive.

Here are some previous raw trials:

The Final Artwork, as an Object

“The Generative Garden” has been a journey of discovery, not just in terms of the art itself but also in understanding the broader implications of AI in artistic practices; how technology can enhance and transform our approach to art. It’s an opportunity to blend the familiar with the innovative, creating something that resonates on multiple levels.

To complete the experience and texture journey of these digital creations, I decided to give them a tangible final form by printing them using archival pigment ink on 310 gsm, 100% cotton acid-free paper. This choice was about more than just aesthetics; it was about bridging these flowers into the most real and high-quality materials as their ultimate destination—reconnecting the ungrounded digital with its natural inspiration.

The Role of AI

Unlike other AI-generated art that often leans towards abstract or fantastical representations, this collection stays rooted in the realistic yet slightly surreal portrayal of flora.

Which textures dominate your everyday experience? How does the artificial sheen of these artworks reflect our increasing acceptance of synthetic substitutes in daily life?

While some may question the authenticity of AI-generated art, ‘The Generative Garden’ demonstrates that technology can be a powerful extension of the artist’s vision. The role of AI here is not to replace the artist but to serve as a collaborator, bringing forth new perspectives and possibilities.

Art and Innovation

Similar to my exploration of photography mixed with watercolor on large-scale prints, my experimental approach to artificial intelligence art revolves around a dialogue with the medium, understanding its responses, limitations, and potentials; this time including its rapid evolution.

My creations may challenge cognitive judgments and promote pure appreciation and sensory immersion. They can transcend definitive conclusions and ethical biases toward technology and materials. AI image generators have opened a new territory where technology is not just a tool but a medium, becoming a co-creator and part of the narrative.

As we continue to explore the intersection of technology and the natural world, ‘The Generative Garden’ stands as a testament to the transformative potential of AI in art. It invites viewers to reconsider their relationship with both technology and the environment, offering a unique blend of the familiar and the innovative. In this convergence, we find a new narrative—a dialogue that bridges the gap between the digital and the organic, the traditional and the avant-garde.

Details of the Artworks

Originals created: 2023

Technique: Mixed media, generative art (text-to-image) and digital art

Number of artworks in the collection: 10

Limited edition per artwork: 10 certified copies

Materials: archival pigment ink on 310 gsm, 100% cotton acid free paper 

Dimensions: 70 cm x 105 cm (27.56” x 41.34”)

Uniform white margins: 0.5 cm (0.2”) on all sides

Certification: Each copy comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and are hand-signed and numbered. All copies are shipped rolled in a protective, heavy duty tube to any country worldwide.

Number of available copies per artwork: 2

⚫️ Acquire on Saatchi: https://www.saatchiart.com/en-es/lauraabad

⚫️ Acquire from Laura Abad studio: upon request

And this is how it sounds: