While browsing the aisles of my local bookstore recently (more like a few years out), I stumbled upon the latest edition of "AI ART: The Definitive Visual Guide." I have a first edition, tucked away in a corner of the janky time machine. That version captures the era when AI art unmistakably bore the stamp of machine creation. However, this new edition features artwork that is indistinguishable from human masterpieces, truly embodying the sentiment of "I can't believe it's not butter" but for art. This edition also features an artist acknowledgement—a gesture that has become ubiquitous in museums, galleries, and exhibitions in this timeline. This isn't merely a nod in print, as a portion of the sales is generously directed towards the Red Cross' Starving Artists global emergency fund.
For those who can’t read the fine print, here’s a OCR scan of the page for ya.
Artist Acknowledgement
We wish to begin by recognizing and honoring the countless artists throughout history, from every corner of the world, who have poured their hearts, souls, and talents into creating art that has inspired, challenged, and transformed us. Their timeless dedication, from cave painters to contemporary visionaries, has laid the rich tapestry of artistic expression upon which our work stands.
Art is a deeply human endeavor, steeped in emotion, intuition, and a desire to communicate and connect. As we venture into this new frontier of AI-generated art, we acknowledge the shoulders of giants upon which we stand, and we strive to approach our work with the same spirit of curiosity, respect, and reverence.
In using artificial intelligence as a medium, we do not aim to replace or overshadow traditional artistic methods, but to find new avenues of collaboration and exploration. It is our hope that in blending the capabilities of machines with the inspiration from human history, we can contribute a unique chapter to the enduring story of art.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the artists of the past and present, for their invaluable contributions to the world of art. In their legacy, we find our guiding star.
Props to humans! They're crazy, but they made some cool stuff once.