TL;DR:
- Verdigris Ensemble integrates AI into their concert series, “The Endangered.”
- AI expedites artistic processes, offering equitable opportunities for smaller non-profits.
- Dallas Contemporary provides expertise in curating AI-generated visuals for immersive concerts.
- “The Endangered” focuses on environmental conservation, featuring unique musical compositions.
- Courtney Ware uses nine AI tools to create synchronized visuals, enhancing the sensory experience.
- AI accelerates visual production from eight months to just five weeks.
- Verdigris Ensemble’s responsible AI use amplifies their artistic expression.
Main AI News:
Verdigris Ensemble, a trailblazing force in the realm of choral music, has consistently embraced cutting-edge technology as a means to redefine the audience’s interaction with their art. From captivating live art projections in their production of SHAMS to pioneering the auction of an NFT rendition of Betty’s Notebook on the blockchain, this Dallas-based ensemble has consistently harnessed technology’s transformative power.
Sam Brukhman, the artistic director of Verdigris Ensemble, expressed his enthusiasm for the intersection of art and technology, stating, “The ability to explore, represent, and create within new mediums is truly fascinating to us.”
Their latest endeavor, “The Endangered,” marks a significant milestone in this fusion of art and technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now integral to their season-opening concert series, offering a breathtaking sensory experience that transcends traditional boundaries.
“In this particular case,” Brukhman explained, “the use of artificial intelligence drastically expedites processes that would otherwise consume months of time. This not only levels the playing field for smaller non-profits but also aligns with our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.”
“The Endangered,” scheduled to run from October 27th to 29th at Dallas Contemporary, serves as the perfect canvas for this immersive concert experience. The expansive 110-ft wide walls of Dallas Contemporary serve as the backdrop for AI-generated visuals that seamlessly complement the musical performance.
Brukhman praised Dallas Contemporary for their invaluable partnership, citing their deep understanding of Verdigris Ensemble’s mission. They also provide crucial expertise in advising and curating the visuals, enhancing the overall artistic experience.
The core of “The Endangered” revolves around Sarah Kirkland Snider’s “Mass for the Endangered,” a powerful composition that both celebrates and laments the natural world while urging greater awareness and environmental action. The musical journey encompasses styles that encourage contemplation of non-human life.
The program is enriched with segments of Edie Hill’s “Spectral Spirits” and features three world-premiere compositions by Samuel K. Sweet (Dallas), Kyle Brenn (NYC), and Anuj Bhutani (Dallas). These compositions shed light on five endangered species native to the region, including the Greasewood Moth, Eskimo Curlew, Passenger Pigeon, Whooping Crane, and Black-Capped Vireo.
To bring this vision to life, Brukhman enlisted the talents of Courtney Ware, co-founder of Lightware Labs and a seasoned collaborator with Verdigris Ensemble. Ware, who has worked extensively in film and theater, was tasked with the ambitious goal of creating visuals for the entire concert series generated entirely by AI.
Verdigris Ensemble is partnering with Dallas Contemporary for its fall concerts. Source: NBCUniversal Media
Ware’s approach involved harnessing the capabilities of nine distinct AI tools. She conceptualized a decaying sanctuary juxtaposed against the Dallas skyline, inputted various prompts, and established a coherent narrative arc for visual evolution.
Describing her process, Ware remarked, “It starts with generating an image that we like and then pulling it through and animating it. There’s a lot of discovery with it, so you can type things in, and you have no idea what’s going to come out.“
Ware ingeniously synchronizes the choral music with the AI program, creating a mesmerizing fusion of sound and visuals. The AI program’s ability to respond to the music’s nuances adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to the experience.
However, Ware acknowledges that not every output from the AI is exceptional. She supplements and refines the AI-generated images, layering them and experimenting with different prompts to achieve the desired effect.
“My job is to take these images and make sense of them, putting them together cohesively,” Ware explained. “It’s not simply a matter of hitting ‘go.'”
By harnessing the power of AI, Ware managed to craft the visuals for this concert series in a mere five weeks, a remarkable feat that would have otherwise taken eight months. For her, AI serves as a tool, much like a photographer’s camera, enabling her to bring her creative vision to life with remarkable efficiency.
Verdigris Ensemble’s embrace of AI extends beyond this concert series. The ensemble’s staff relies on ChatGPT as a daily resource. Brukhman is acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with utilizing this technology and strives to ensure its ethical and artistic application.
“How do we use AI for good and not for harm?” Brukhman pondered. “We’ve endeavored to be responsible in our use of AI, allowing it to enrich and amplify our unique artistic expression, complemented by Courtney’s artistic finesse and Dallas Contemporary’s expert curation.”
A segment of the AI generated image shows how the visuals incorporate Passenger Pigeons, a species mentioned in the commissioned music. Source: NBCUniversal Media
Conclusion:
Verdigris Ensemble’s innovative integration of AI into their concert series represents a remarkable fusion of art and technology. This not only streamlines artistic processes but also opens doors for smaller organizations while maintaining a responsible approach to AI. The collaboration with Dallas Contemporary and the use of AI tools in visual production underscores the ensemble’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the world of choral music. This development signals the potential for AI to revolutionize the market by enhancing the audience’s engagement with the arts and streamlining creative processes for artists and organizations.
