TL;DR:
- Hong Kong artists are exploring the integration of AI into ink art, raising questions about the nature of AI-generated artwork.
- Concerns include copyright infringement, unauthorized uploads, disinformation, and potential job displacement for artists.
- Hong Kong’s updated Copyright Ordinance aims to strengthen copyright protection in the digital environment, though challenges remain in interpreting AI art.
- Victor Wong, a digital artist, designed AI Gemini, a robotic arm specialized in ink art, to blend AI with ink art techniques and preserve traditional artistic processes.
- Henry Chu, a new media artist, sees AI as a valuable tool for visual design and collaboration, enabling the exploration of alternative artistic practices.
- Chris Cheung, from Xcept art tech studio, highlights the importance of artists’ deeper thoughts and messages in the creative process, raising concerns about AI’s potential impact on creativity.
- Despite the advancements in AI, artists emphasize that the aesthetic and craftsmanship value of paintings cannot be replaced by AI-generated art.
Main AI News:
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a profound debate among Hong Kong’s artistic community, particularly among ink painters. Victor Wong Wang-tat, a digital artist and ink art enthusiast, experienced this firsthand when he proudly presented his work to fellow practitioners at a gathering hosted by the Hong Kong Ink Painting Society. The piece, a majestic mountain created with precise brushstrokes, left the chairman puzzled. Despite its technical prowess, the painting was executed with an unusual steadiness that surpassed the capabilities of most experienced artists. It was then revealed that the artwork was the creation of AI Gemini, Hong Kong’s first AI robotic arm dedicated to ink art, designed by Wong himself. This revelation triggered a series of questions, including whether AI-generated artwork should be considered genuine art and which ink art masters’ works had influenced AI Gemini’s learning process.
Wong is not the only artist facing scrutiny and skepticism from AI critics. With the widespread adoption of AI platforms like Tensorflow and Stable Diffusion, which utilize existing artworks and images to generate new ones, a growing number of enthusiasts are using these tools to produce sophisticated pieces with just a few prompts and a click of a button. However, this trend raises concerns about copyright infringement, unauthorized uploads, disinformation, and the potential unemployment of artists.
As of now, Hong Kong has not witnessed any lawsuits related to AI-generated art. However, the recently updated Copyright Ordinance, which came into effect on May 1, 2023, aims to strengthen copyright protection in the digital realm. Weiken Yau, a partner at law firm Haldanes specializing in publishing and digital licensing agreements, points out that the interpretation of AI art, its ownership, and the liability of involved parties still pose challenges. Yau emphasizes that AI users bear the responsibility of ensuring their creations do not closely resemble existing works owned by others. Exceptions and allowances, such as satire, parody, commentary on current events, and educational purposes fall under fair dealing exceptions.
Wong and his robotic arm might avoid copyright issues due to his intention of blending AI with ink art rather than replicating existing styles or artists’ works. For him, imitating a master’s style is a traditional approach in artistic apprenticeships. Wong’s goal is for AI to learn the techniques and processes of ink art, enabling the fusion of AI and ink art as a modern method of expression that preserves the spirit of traditional ink artists.
To achieve this, Wong developed a unique algorithm for AI Gemini’s image generation. By physically manipulating the robotic arm to dip into the inkwell and create brushstrokes of varying weights, Wong captured the arm’s movements as data. Instead of using keywords, AI Gemini utilizes timestamps and weather conditions as parameters to represent geographical elements for generating a 3D image of a mountain, which Wong refers to as the “mindscape.” Each painting is an entirely unique creation, and existing artworks are never copied. The result is a harmonious blend of AI-generated aesthetics, color gradations, shadow effects, depth, and textures.
Wong draws parallels between AI and human emotions, explaining that emotions can be scientifically understood as bodily reactions triggered by hormonal changes in response to external stimuli. Just as a painter’s emotions affect their artwork, AI Gemini creates differently based on changing external conditions. Wong believes AI offers a novel approach to ink art and a potential avenue for preserving Chinese artistic traditions.
While Wong takes a pioneering view of AI, local new media artist Henry Chu sees its value in exploring alternative artistic practices. Chu collaborated with former Miss Hong Kong Grace Chan on an AI artwork project commissioned by the Bank of China (BOC). Chu and Chan used AI to create three pieces: Quadtree of Dawn, Quadtree of Summer, and Quadtree of South, which visualize the bank’s vision for the city’s future. AI played a significant role in generating the visuals, with Chu estimating that it contributed 90% of the artwork, while he manually refined the remaining 10% to achieve the desired details. This collaboration exemplifies how AI can handle aspects that artists may not enjoy or wish to spend time on, allowing them to focus on the more enjoyable and creative aspects of their work.
Despite recognizing AI’s capabilities, Chu remains mindful of its rapid learning potential. He highlights the example of AI-generated hands, which initially produced bizarre and unrealistic results but quickly improved to create flawless representations. Chu emphasizes that his focus is on using AI creatively in his art, as the technology itself is secondary to how it is applied.
Chris Cheung Hon-him, creative director of Hong Kong art tech studio Xcept, emphasizes the importance of deep thought and conveying messages in the creative process, setting artists apart from AI users. Cheung’s team explored the questionable nature of AI in an art installation called Sentient Mirror. Visitors typed in words they had been labeled with or heard as labels and AI-generated corresponding images on mirrors based on their appearance and the stored prompts from other visitors. This installation aimed to reflect on Hong Kong’s labeling culture and the potential impact of AI on creativity. While AI currently relies on existing human creations, Cheung raises concerns about its future ability to think and create independently. He believes artists must remain aware of the potential for AI to replace them and ensure they continue producing original and thought-provoking ideas.
Conclusion:
The integration of AI into Hong Kong’s art scene presents a unique blend of innovation and tradition. While AI offers opportunities for artists to explore new techniques, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance visual design processes, it also raises important considerations regarding copyright protection, job displacement, and the impact on creativity. The updated Copyright Ordinance provides a framework for monitoring AI art, but challenges remain in defining ownership and liability. As AI continues to evolve, it is essential for artists and the market to find a delicate balance, harnessing the potential of AI while preserving the distinctive human touch that makes art truly unique and valuable. This presents both challenges and opportunities for the market, calling for a thoughtful and forward-thinking approach to embrace the benefits of AI while upholding the artistic integrity and craftsmanship that resonate with art enthusiasts and consumers.
