Washington Market Park

Personal Inspiration
The inspiration for “Happy to See You” evolved from my deep fascination with AI, which began with the launch of its current incarnation in 2022. I noticed it was designed to generate realistic or stylistically illustrative images. My challenge was to steer it toward generating abstractions instead. Additionally, I wanted to learn about the role of AI in society, how it’s developed, and how I could utilize it in my art to evolve my practice.

 

Evolution of the Idea
Although the project began with the intention of using AI as a tool to create abstractions directly, I quickly realized I didn’t want it to produce the final art. Instead, I positioned it as a “muse” to inspire me and trigger thoughts and imagery I might not have consciously accessed. As artists, we predominantly work alone when generating art. But working with AI fostered a more collaborative mindset. This aligned with my goal to activate these images in the public realm with the intent of engaging dialogue.

 

In addition, my art improved more rapidly as it evolved significantly through a process of continual iteration. This iterative process also introduced the role of a curator of my own work. Out of hundreds of images, which ones warranted moving to the next stage? The resulting curated collection was then redrawn, applying my artistic vision and meaning. Considering the relationship between the conscious, unconscious, and the collective unconscious was also key to this process. What came from my educated, experienced conscious mind, what was buried and triggered by seeing AI’s images—like an inkblot test—and what universally human images were being brought forth by AI.

 

Connection to Previous Work
“Happy to See You” builds on my longstanding interest in integrating digital innovation with creative expression. I’ve always been an early adopter of new technologies, despite any backlash received. Experience has shown that although technologies may fail, they do not regress. My perspective is to participate in their evolution to ensure they best serve creatives and humanity at large. Regarding stylistic expression, this series has evolved to express less complexity in forms, where earlier approaches were influenced by the complexity of fractals. Now, there is more emphasis on impact through the boldness of the imagery and color.

 

Artistic Challenges
One of the biggest challenges was finding the right balance between AI-generated abstraction and human artistic control. Achieving a harmonious blend that felt both spontaneous and deeply intentional required numerous refinements. The breakthrough came when I began to see the AI as a collaborator, allowing the technology to influence the creative process 
in unexpected ways. In addition, I evolved the production process through changes in the multiple steps required to produce the final work.

 

Impact and Message
With “Happy to See You,” I aim to offer viewers a moment of joy and a reminder of the beauty in everyday interactions. By positioning this art in public spaces, I hope to democratize the experience of art, making it a regular part of people’s daily commutes and interactions. I believe this approach makes art a more integral part of community life.