The world of art was once again disrupted when an artist known as Supercomposite introduced a haunting female portrait created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). However, in a surprising turn of events, Supercomposite has announced her decision to step away from AI art, describing it as “very frustrating and very limiting.” Burnt out from her experience, she has shifted her focus to writing a screenplay instead. In this article, we will delve into Supercomposite’s journey with AI art and examine the complex emotions and challenges she faced.
Supercomposite explains that working with AI to create art has a dangerous addictive quality. The “dopamine path” created in her brain by continuously pushing the button for new results kept her hooked. The experience became a double-edged sword, as she experienced the thrill of discovery and creation, but found herself trapped within the constraints of the technology. The allure of AI art’s creative possibilities quickly gave way to frustration and limitations.
The Birth of Loab
In 2022, Supercomposite set out to explore the artistic possibilities of AI and birthed the now-infamous red-cheeked, hollow-eyed woman called “Loab.” Sharing her process and the resulting images on social media, Supercomposite unwittingly ignited a viral storm. Commentators described the images as “disturbing,” and ethical conversations about visual aesthetics, art, and technology ensued.
Negative Prompts and Unintended Outcomes
Supercomposite experimented with tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E, using negative prompts to exclude certain elements from the generated images. One of her fascinating experiments involved typing in “Brando::-1,” requesting an image as far as possible from the late actor Marlon Brando. The initial outcome was unexpected: a black logo with green lettering spelling “DIGITA PNTICS.” However, when Supercomposite delved deeper by requesting the opposite with “DIGITA PNTICS” skyline logo::-1,” a haunting image of a sad-looking woman with long hair and red cheeks emerged. Thus, Loab was born.
A Strange Trend and Macabre Imagery
As Supercomposite continued to request modifications to Loab, a strange trend emerged. Loab intermittently reappeared after vanishing for several generations of lineage, adding an eerie element to the process. Even more disturbingly, Loab often appeared alongside children, sometimes dismembered, in a macabre and bloody world. The artist decided to withhold the most shocking images, opting not to show them to the public.
The Enigma of Loab’s Origin
Supercomposite has remained tight-lipped about the specific tool she used to create Loab, expressing her desire to keep the focus on the art rather than the tool itself. However, this decision has invited speculation and doubts from internet users. Some suspect the artist of manually altering the images to create a digital horror theme known as a “creepypasta.” Supercomposite vehemently denies these claims, taking it as a compliment that people are genuinely engaged with her art.
After the whirlwind experience surrounding Loab, Supercomposite has decided to step away from AI art. She admits feeling exhausted and burned out by the whole affair. Instead, she now devotes her time to writing a screenplay, leaving AI art behind for the time being. In her own words, Supercomposite echoes the sentiment of South Korean-born video art pioneer Nam June Paik, stating, “I use technology in order to hate it properly.”
Supercomposite’s journey with AI art serves as a cautionary tale about the limitations and emotional toll associated with this emerging field. The addictive nature of pushing the button for new results and the unexpected outcomes of negative prompts reveal the complex relationship between the artist and AI. The enigma surrounding the origin of Loab and the ensuing rumors demonstrate the intrigue and fascination generated by AI-generated art. Ultimately, Supercomposite’s decision to shift her focus away from AI art highlights the need for balance and self-care in the ever-evolving world of technology and creativity.
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