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What’s a GAN (generative adversarial network), and how can A.I. be used for art?
Learn how generative adversarial networks (GANs) can be used for art and storytelling, and browse Ha.i.kus - a new form of poetry written by a human and illustrated by artificial intelligence.
GAN-generated imagery from Ha.i.kus, Vol. 1: Cycle of Water
“The story of evolution unfolds with increasing levels of abstraction.”
Ray Kurzweil
For machine learning, and especially GANs, it’s only just the beginning…
There are endless applications for machine learning, a RAPIDLY evolving space expected to surpass $20 billion by 2025 (for context, as of this writing it’s at about $1.5 billion). Artificial intelligence is already embedded in much of our daily lives, from search engines to virtual assistants to virtual reality. There is infinite potential for how A.I. technology can enhance the human experience, and that’s especially true when it comes to art.
Since A.I. is such a vague topic, and one in its infancy of development, let’s focus in on one very unique, tiny corner of A.I. - a machine learning model known as a generative adversarial network, or GAN for short. A GAN is a framework designed to create new samples of data in an evolving learning environment.
GAN-generated image for "Musical Storm” - a Ha.i.ku by ThoughtPose
How does a GAN work?
Image Source: Machine Learning Mastery
Without getting too far in the weeds, a GAN consists of a sample data set with input parameters, and then two networks (outlined below) designed to train one another back-and-forth in a friendly competition of sorts.
Network #1 - the generative model
Generates new instances of data based on the original data set and prompt given. Its goal is to get better and better at generating these instances, and tricking the discriminator model into “thinking” the new instances are from the original data set.
Network #2 - the discriminative model
Evaluates the accuracy of what was generated against the data set and classifies each instance as either real (from original data set) or fake (rendered by the generator). Its goal is to increase the level of accuracy at which it can tell the difference.
Together, they repeat this process, constantly informing each other as the generator produces better instances of data while the discriminator improves itself at flagging the synthetic samples.
That’s a very basic explanation, but the main point is that these types of models can be designed to learn on their own, and can be tweaked in countless ways in terms of what the starting data set consists of, what's generated and how, as well as how the discriminator is used to score the outputs. While use cases are still in the process of being developed, there’s potential for GANs to assist us across virtually all industries including science, business, economics and, of course, art.
Examples (in the form of Ha.i.kus)
The art community is just getting started with using A.I. to create, and that’s certainly true here at ThoughtPose. For starters, head on over to the Ha.i.kus page, which features poetry written by a human and illustrated by a customized text-to-image GAN.
Try it for yourself
Some tools and resources for experimenting with A.I. creative tools on your own:
NightCafe Studio - This tool allows you to generate images from text, or restyle existing images. You can try for free, and then you will need to buy/earn credits to use the tool further. The number of credits needed per creation varies depending on the settings and criteria you set.
Hotpot.ai - Similar as above in terms of using credits, but with different options and a variety of other A.I. tools beyond text-to-image, such as the ability to write fiction stories, restore old pictures, remove backgrounds from images or designs, translate videos and more. It’s pretty nuts, and an absolute blast to mess around with. They also happen to have excellent and responsive customer service.
A.I. Whisperer - YouTuber and Udemy instructor with easy-to-follow demonstration videos on how to create A.I. art (and even sell them as NFTs). Through his videos, he also shares a few custom GANs (different from how the above tools are programmed) that you can try through Google Colab.
A Thoughtful Discussion on the Best Movies of the Decade
Three film-lovers (and knowledgeable ones at that) discuss their favorite movies of the decade.
Hey all - Hope you’re enjoying the Holidays!
With 2020 right around the corner, I thought I’d share a pretty solid read regarding some of the best movies of the soon-ending decade.
I’m so thankful for the friendship I’ve developed with these two Austinites, Adam and Sam (who “co-wrote” the below discussion with me). Not only do they appreciate cinema like I do, but they also happen to be very thoughtful, just genuinely awesome people. And they know a shit-ton about movies.
Anyway, as members of our long-running Movie Committee group, we tasked one another with each coming up with a ranked list of our own top ten films of the 2010s. We then shared our respective lists in a group chat, and discussed.
So, if you’re in the mood for a well-rounded, interesting deep-dive into some of the best flicks this decade had to offer, sit back and enjoy the following (well-written) conversation between Sam, Adam and myself. You got two options:
I’ll scroll for you (and provide a soundtrack!):
Discussion written by Samantha Deese, Adam Nevarez and Andrew Chase. Music: “Young” by Ian Ewing Ft. Flamingosis
Or scroll yourself:
Discussion written by Samantha Deese, Adam Nevarez and Andrew Chase
And there you have it. What are some of your favorite movies of the decade?
15 (Really) Short Stories to Make You Think (and/or Softly Chuckle)
I was tasked with submitting a 30-page sketchbook to the Brooklyn Art Library. Here's what I came up with.
What fun it is to doodle!
My Mom and Dad bought me a sketchbook as part of a large-scale project being produced by the Brooklyn Art Library. Appropriately titled "The Sketchbook Project", it allows for anyone to register and submit a 30-page sketchbook about anything, which would then be archived as part of their growing library in both hard copy and digital form.
So, I decided to revisit my childish roots and create a series of one-page stories. Each is accompanied by an extremely amateur illustration, rendered by me via colored pencils (this is why I stick to writing).
Of course, this collection is dedicated to my parents, who continue to support my creativity, and who always inspire me to be thoughtful.
Enjoy!
"Love"
Giraffe: You're the reason I breathe!
Tree: I've fallen for you!
Giraffe: Wait I can't breathe now.
"The Catstronauts"
Let's go be curious eight times.
"Math is Hard"
Teacher: Can you solve this problem?
Student: Sure, why not?
Teacher: Oh.
"Quantum Physics Explained in One Sentence"
The period located at the end of this sentence can be everything, nothing, everywhere and nowhere all at the same time, and is only a period located at the end of this sentence when you see it as such .
"Finding the Right Balance"
Yes: Does this thing look balanced to you?
No: Maybe.
"Pluto"
Pluto: Your honor, I believe that I'm a planet.
Judge: Well, then I guess you are.
The Broken Record
Person 1: I can't figure out how to make this work.
Person 2: We'll just have to play it by ear.
The Genie
Genie: I shall now grant you one wish!
Girl: I wish to feel like I never need to wish for things.
Genie: I'll just go back in my lamp.
Girl: Sounds good.
"Locked Out"
Knight: I will tear down your walls!
Emperor: It'd probably be easier if you just convinced me to open up my doors.
"Journey"
Co-pilot: Let's go there.
Pilot: No, let's be here.
"States of Water"
River: I want to be cooler.
Icicle: I want to go with the flow more.
Cloud: I'm so confused, I think I just want to cry.
"Best Friends"
Boy: Stay.
Dog: When have I ever left?
"The Pillow"
Old Man 1: Do you remember what goes here?
Old Man 2: Not sure. Let's sleep on it and revisit tomorrow.
Old Man 1: I like that you're thinking ahead.
"Change"
There is the decision to and the act of. But first, there is the knowing that you can.
"The Alien"
Alien: Hey. I just came by to tell you that you're not alone.
"I can honestly say that art has saved my life."
A short story about the healing power of art, by ATX artist Brittany Robinson
A story by artist Brittany Robinson
This past year has been one of the toughest I’ve gone through. A DWI and other financial burdens, along with severe depression and generalized anxiety can take a toll on anyone. And for me, it absolutely did. For months, I subjected myself to escapism, using alcohol, opioids, or marijuana to cope with the pain. I chose to isolate myself from the outside world, and drown myself in chemicals that would only ever mask the pain (or occasionally make it worse). I didn’t know how to get myself out of this slump. My life became mundane and predictable - I would wake up, go to work, come home, drink/smoke until I was fucked up, then going to bed only to repeat the same thing the next day. I was wasting my life, because I thought I was a waste of life.
Amongst all of this pain, I really felt like something was missing. I couldn’t explain it. There were plenty of things in my life that could’ve used a change. I kept asking myself, “What do I need?” And to be honest, I didn’t know the answer. Maybe it was the prospect of a new job? Maybe I needed to start dating again? Whatever it was, I knew I needed to socialize and put myself out there somehow.
I needed to break the chain of predictability. I needed to break the chain of my mediocre life. But how would I do it?
Then one day, something clicked. Months prior, I had bought a small easel and a few canvases to paint, but they sat in my room untouched for the longest time. Before I moved to Austin, I would spend a lot of time painting in my room, but I’d never let anyone other than family see what I came up with. I’d just hang them around my room.
I actually found myself intimidated at the idea of getting back into painting. But I gave it a shot. My first attempt at it was a meditating man with the color of the seven chakras going through his body. It didn’t come out the way I wanted it to, so I repainted it a few times with different themes. It took months to finally complete but, during that time, I discovered something.
Art and expression were missing from my life. Being able to create something - a picture, an emotion - has become so fulfilling to me. Sometimes I have trouble expressing my true feelings verbally, so what better way than to show them visually? Whenever I paint, my negative thoughts disappear. I can let go and do what I want. I’m finally in control.
When you suffer with depression and anxiety, you understand how tough it is to feel like you’re in control of anything. Art has become me taking control of myself. Taking control of my depression and fighting my anxiety when I was too scared to show anyone my work. I even took a major leap by submitting a painting into my first ever art show.
Since that show, I’ve been painting on a regular basis. My small studio apartment is slowly overflowing with paintings I’ve created and, quite frankly, I love it. I’m still hard on myself and my work. I always feel like there’s room for improvement, and there always will be as long as I keep working toward bettering myself as an artist.
I have great people in my life that encourage me everyday to keep striving. I can honestly say that art has saved my life. I was born to create, to express, and to live the best life possible. And, as long as art is a part of my life, I’ll never feel like a waste again.
Each of Brittany's brilliant paintings, displayed above, are now available for purchase in the shop.
Here's What 43 People Want to Change about Life
I asked people to share one thing they planned to change. Here are the results.
"WaterCloudWater"
"Share One Thing You Plan to Change"
I have this recurring dream about us all working together toward something big. It's always the same.
I picture two people sitting across from one another at a kitchen table. They're having an open, honest conversation. The ratio between speaking and listening remains mutually equal throughout the exchange. They eventually form a common understanding. They smirk, clink their coffee mugs together, and become friends.
The dream always ends there. It's fucking sweet.
Anyway, I like poetry, so I wrote one about what that conversation could be, if we all could somehow have it together:
WaterCloudWater 1105172100
Observation engages thought
Thought formulates reason
Reason illuminates meaning
Meaning establishes purpose
Purpose inspires action
Action creates change
Change invites observation
I thought the poem came out ok, so I decided to show it at a local art show. It was an interactive piece so, along with the poem itself, I made a request to the audience:
Share one thing you plan to change.
Here are the responses I got from that request:
- Save all the damn dogs
- The way people with mental illnesses are perceived & treated
- My gender
- Level of openness to new energy
- My life
- Societal expectations
- My passion
- This
- My mental health. I have manic depression.
- FTW DON'T ASK ME 4 SHYT!
- Lives
- Bold action only
- Deep gratitude practice for all beings every day xoxo
- Sum bitch
- Job
- 💘
- My attitude about work
- Perspective
- Tha system
- Fake democracy
- I ❤️ Dick
- Tell me how you feel. I won't be mad.
- Sarah's sassiness
- Perception is everything
- Work ethic
- 💘 (different one)
- To thine own self be true
- Don't wanna change a thing, really... right now.
- Our comfort zone! Push the limits
- My self care
- The way that people interact with art!
- My inability to be vulnerable
- I want to make handmade, quality goods cool again
- Eat better
- Love myself more
- My underwear
- Habit
- Lose more control
- I am changing the way I view myself
- My mind
- Focus on myself and not compare myself to others
- Job
- Go Astros! 11-1-17
So regarding this conversation - the one at the kitchen table that I dream about - it seems to still remain internal for most.