Menu
WN: Can you tell us a bit about your creative background?
CM: I’m from Berlin, Germany, and I have been working as a freelance Graphic Designer for over 20 years. Initially, I focused on editorial and print design for various publishing houses, spanning a range of magazines from scientific to cultural, and even architecture and fashion. However, in recent years, I have transitioned more towards web design and illustration. In addition to my professional pursuits, I have a keen interest in art and
photography, often indulging in analog photography as a personal hobby. Although it is the exact opposite of AI-generated images, I find parallels between the creative processes involved. Much like the unpredictability
inherent in generating images with AI, analog photography offers a similar element of surprise, where the final outcome remains uncertain until developed. All in all, it can be said that I have in-depth knowledge of the
visual arts in various areas. That’s why the possibilities of AI-generated images fascinated me early on and led me to explore their potential through experiments for over a year.
WN: How would you describe yourself? and Do you sometimes see yourself in parts of your art?
CM: As a more introverted and reserved individual, I tend to assume the role of an observer, quietly observing from the sidelines. Perhaps this inclination explains why the characters in my images often conceal their faces. In addition, I have a tendency for irony and a subtle wink, qualities that are probably also reflected in my work.
WN: Can you explain your creative process from concept to the final piece?
CM: My creative process is still evolving, characterised by a fluidity that embraces experimentation and spontaneity. Often, inspiration strikes in the form of ideas that have lingered in my mind for some time, waiting for the opportunity to materialise. In the past, these concepts may have remained dormant due to logistical constraints, requiring extensive time, resources and manpower to execute. However, with the advent of AI technology, the barriers to realising these visions have dissolved. Now, with the simple input of a few lines of text, I can breathe life into my imagination. Freed from the constraints of time-consuming and costly endeavours, I find myself unshackled, able to explore the boundless realm of creative possibility. To capture the fleeting spark of inspiration, I record also my thoughts and ideas in notes as they arise, ensuring that none are lost.
I utilize Midjourney as my primary AI tool for generating images. While I initially experimented with other platforms, I found that Midjourney consistently yielded the most promising results, prompting me to commit to its use in my creative process. Typically, I begin with a short and straightforward prompt, running it multiple times with minor variations to gauge its potential. This initial phase serves as a preliminary draft or sketch, with the majority of ideas failing to resonate. As I refine the prompts, I delve deeper into adjusting various parameters such as setting, lighting, colors, and background, sculpting the emerging images to align more closely with my envisioned aesthetic.
Yet, I also embrace the element of surprise inherent in AI-generated imagery, remaining open to unexpected deviations from my original concept. Indeed, some of the most compelling outcomes arise from these apparent “fails,” sparking new ways of creativity. And I use the generated images from early iterations as references for subsequent prompts, guiding the AI toward specific directions and themes. This iterative process turns into dialog-like interplay between human intention and machine-generated output, blurring the boundaries between creator and curator.
In the final stage of curation, I select the images that resonate most strongly with my vision, refining them further through Photoshop to achieve the desired level of polish and refinement. Thus, what begins as a dialogue with AI evolves into a process of curation and refinement, culminating in the realisation of my artistic vision.
WN: What other tools are essential in your workflow?
CM: In addition to Midjourney, my creative toolkit is refreshingly minimalistic. I rely on the trusty companionship of a notebook or a dedicated app to capture fleeting moments of inspiration, ensuring that no idea slips through the cracks of memory. When it comes to refining and perfecting my creations, I turn to the versatile capabilities of Photoshop.
WN: Are there any specific artist that you look into for inspiration?
CM: Working in the creative industry for so long, Narrowing down the multitude of influences accumulated over time is difficult. From fine art, movies, from haute couture pop culture, each facet has contributed to a kaleidoscope of images swirling in my mind. Yet, amidst this eclectic tapestry of inspiration, one era consistently beckons me back: the epoch of pop art. With its fusion of the quotidian and the iconic, pop art resonates deeply with me. The marriage of everyday objects with elements of popular culture and fine art strikes a chord, evoking a potent blend of nostalgia and innovation. Moreover, I like the infusion of humor and irony that adds another layer, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.
And I recall the genesis of my journey into AI-generated imagery, a venture profoundly shaped by the timeless allure of Edward Hopper’s paintings. Rather than seeking to replicate his distinctive painting style, my aim was to encapsulate the essence and emotional resonance that permeates his work. In particular, I was captivated by Hopper’s masterful manipulation of light and shadow, which imbues his compositions with an aura of solitude and introspection. This interplay of illumination and darkness evokes a sense of isolation, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in moments of quiet contemplation. I endeavoured to channel these atmospheric qualities into my AI-generated images, infusing them with a similar sense of depth and emotional resonance.
WN: How would you describe your artistic view?
CM: In my creations, human figures and faces emerge as recurrent motifs, serving as vessels for the exploration of the human condition. My art delves into the depths of shared emotions and explores the complexities of human existence and the many roles we play in modern society and the impact we have on our environment.
Yet, amidst the familiarity of the human form lies an enigmatic allure—a sense of ambiguity that beckons further exploration. Each image is imbued with layers of meaning that allow for multiple interpretations. What appears to be everyday at first glance has additional, deeper layers. It is this duality, this tension between the known and the unknown, that hopefully forces the viewer to stop, linger and delve deeper. Essentially, I’m about evoking an emotional response and inviting the viewer to connect with the essence of what it means to be human.
WN: How much impact you think A.I. will have against more traditional art forms?
CM: The impact of AI on the creative industry as a whole is undeniably huge, creating a seismic shift in the way we conceive and produce art. This transformative wave brings new opportunities and challenges, heralding the dawn of a new era in creative expression. Yet, amidst the promise of innovation, a myriad of ethical and legal quandaries loom large, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future of AI-generated art. Questions of authorship and ownership remain unresolved, as the lines blur between human creativity and machine intelligence. Who holds the rights to AI-generated art? Who bears responsibility for its creation? These thorny issues demand urgent attention and careful deliberation. Moreover, the issue of copyright infringement looms large, as AI models trained on existing artworks tread perilously close to the boundaries of intellectual property rights.
For traditional artists, the rise of AI-generated art can create feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, as fears of a devaluation of creativity and craftsmanship run high. The threat of cultural appropriation further complicates matters, as AI models trained on biased data sets risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes and cultural biases.
Amidst all this uncertainty surrounding AI-generated art, one thing remains steadfast: the enduring legacy of traditional art forms. Rooted in centuries of human expression and cultural heritage, these venerable mediums stand as the roots of human creativity. While AI may cast a long shadow over the art landscape, it is unlikely to displace traditional art forms. Instead, I envision a future in which AI serves as a catalyst for creative exploration and offers new tools and techniques to express ourselves artistically. Much like the evolution of photography from its humble beginnings as a mere craft to a full-fledged art genre, AI has the potential to redefine the boundaries of human creativity. Instead of imitating the aesthetics of traditional art, AI artists today should push the boundaries of what is possible further and further and develop their own language to find their own niche.
In the short term, I believe the most significant impact of AI lies in the conception phase of artistic creation.
With the ability to swiftly generate countless visual drafts of ideas, AI has the potential to revolutionise the creative process, elevating individual output and unleashing new levels of innovation. Already, we see established artists embracing AI as a playground for experimentation and exploration. Visionaries like Wolfe von Lenkiewicz (@vonwolfe_) and Ken Kelleher (@anchorball) are using the power of AI to breathe life into their artistic visions, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and challenging conventional notions of creativity. By leveraging AI as a tool for idea generation, artists can transcend the limitations of traditional
methods, tapping into a wellspring of endless possibilities. This democratisation of creativity promises to unlock new realms of artistic expression, where imagination and innovation knows no bounds.
Please do yourself a favour and follow Clemens Maurer’s Instagram account because it is a must visit if you are interested in A.I.: @ai_made_me_do_this
