Muskogee Herbman wrote:https://www.dmt-nexus.me/forum/default.aspx?g=posts&m=1183314#post1183314
Really interesting conversation. I think I'm too new of a member to post to that thread, so I'll just respond here.
As a traditionally trained artist who just started exploring Midjourney, I resonate with multiple points of that discussion. I preface this by admitting that I’m still fleshing out how I feel about AI/machine learning art and, at this point, have more questions than answers. I initially stayed away from Midjourney due to many of the ethical concerns already articulated quite well here.
I started using Midjourney out of curiosity; specifically, to see if I could replicate DMT/trip visuals. I guess there was a part of me that wondered if trip visuals are formulaic… like having certain prompts inputted (neural pathways activated, etc.) to create particular visuals/outputs (like fractals, etc.). I have been able to collaborate with Midjourney to produce very similar DMT visuals among other types of “art.” It’s fun. It removes the barriers of technical knowledge, color theory, perspective, etc. But, again, that’s the dangerous part…having the potential to exclude those who have that knowledge and skill from making a livelihood. In my former life, before switching careers, I was a professional digital artist. So, this subject is of great concern to me.
Above all else, Midjourney is prompting me to think about what is “art.” Is the original concept/idea the art itself and everything else unnecessary “labor”? Or, is there something about the hours of toiling away and technical skill required that adds to the art itself? This is something I’m exploring.