Posts Tagged ‘AI’

Brainstorming With An Algorithm

Tuesday, April 1st, 2025

The new work is moving right along, and yesterday while I managed to stitch half the the squares I got through several lengthy podcasts and about 1/2 a recorded book on the Ancient African Kingdoms (from Captivating History) The earliest civilisation we ever heard about on the African continent when we were young was Egypt, but other significant civilisations rose and faded from view on that continent over many centuries before those mighty Egyptians; and it was the same with South America, about which I learned even less. But I digress.

Squares individually stiched and fastened off at the back.

Each motif takes perhaps 3 minutes from start to finish, and this photo makes it clear I don’t do the steps in exactly the same order every time!

I took this pic of a bit of the background yesterday, and gave it to chatgpt.com, asking it to “Design a pattern with these marks”

The response was “It looks like the image shows the backside of an embroidery project, with thread marks forming abstract, angular shapes. I can create a pattern based on these marks. Do you want a cleaner, symmetrical design or something that preserves the randomness and abstract nature of the stitches? Let me know your preference!

I responded with “Clean and symmetrical” to which the algorithm said “Got it! I’ll create a clean and symmetrical pattern inspired by these stitch marks. I’ll focus on geometric shapes, possibly using triangles and angular lines while keeping a structured design. Do you prefer a repeating pattern (like a tessellation) or a central, standalone motif?

I answered “do one of each” and after 3 or 4 minutes, this image appeared –

A really interesting pattern to use some time.

I am pretty chuffed with this suggestion, and think it could be a really interesting pattern to use some time. Note that the algorithm already knows that I prefer the hand drawn, slightly organic, look rather than dead straight lines … Now, what about that second, standalone image ? After 2 hours it’s still working on it 🙂

Exploring AI in Art: A Creative Journey

Sunday, March 30th, 2025

SAQA has a Global Exhibitions call slated to open this week; and as it closes at the end of April, I need to get moving on the entry I’ve been circling around and thinking about for a while. I wanted to get my Art Quilt Australia 25 entries ready for photography before I have a go at this one, and I’d really like all three works to be photographed in the same session in two weeks’ time, but might have to make two trips to Eduardo’s.

The exhibition, AI: Artistic Interpretations” is being promoted as an opportunity to use artificial intelligence as a tool in an artwork combining human artistry with technology developed from human inputs – or works that are a response to Artificial Intelligence and digital media.

A few days ago I spent a little time exploring what happens with some very basic assignments for chatgpt.com to come up with some linear diagrams according to information I gave it. I kept some of the results in a file I set up on Pinterest – I won’t go into all the instructions I gave it, and there were quite a few results I ditched. But as I got used to working with what reads like a human composed text in response to my requests, I found it interesting how the algorithm learned from my comments and began anticipating more efficiently what I might like. In turn, I learned to be more succinct with more carefully worded requests! I think the algorithm and I got along fine. In that Pinterest file there are some with curved lines, others without – it was hard to get the algorithm to present me with a much simpler line diagram, but anyway the black and gold one with the touch of Art Deco that I asked for in the lower left hand corner of that Pinterest page really influenced my thinking. Despite all that, I have turned back to the favourite stitched square motif which I adapted (in 2022) from one of Vera Molnar’s early generative designs using a computer driven plotter…

Printed dull gold squares, stitched with metallic thread.
Dull gold, monoprinted squares each approx 1.5cm sq. Overall 95cm square.

I’ve not used this stitched square in the past year or so, but will use it again for this new work. Overnight I’ll decide whether to use black, silver, gold, white, or red thread, as tomorrow I really need to start that stitching!

Detail, “Neon Nine Patch“, square c.1.5cm
2022 SAQA Spotlight auction piece, 6″ x 8″

And one day soon I will reurn to chatgpt.com and spend some more time exploring. I watched an interview on a business show this weekend with someone high up in the running of AI courses for Coursera.Inc, the open online course provider. Probably worth looking into because they have some free courses, and the speaker claimed that the demand for classes has increased some amazing 800% over this time last year! At this stage in my life, I’m thankful I’m not in a job that demands I master this stuff. there must be many 50+ year olds under huge pressure! But I do need to be tuned in, a development my offsprings have welcomed. Learning something a bit demanding keeps the aging brain active. Bridge and AI are both like new languages, think, and I came to Spanish late in life. they’re all a means of communication, and I’m not brilliant at any of them, but putting in some effort is the important thing, right?

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