Floral Pizza

Floral Pizza is a playful and imaginative piece that combines two seemingly unrelated subjects: flowers and pizza. The whimsical composition features a pizza adorned with blossoming flowers instead of traditional toppings, blurring the lines between the edible and the inedible. The bright colors and charming concept make it a delightful addition to any art collection. This piece evokes a sense of joy and invites the viewer to question their preconceived notions of reality.

UFO Vacation

UFO Vacation is a surreal and captivating print that transports the viewer to a fantastical world. The artwork features a serene pool scene with a twist – an otherworldly UFO hovering above the water. The juxtaposition of the familiar and the extraordinary creates a sense of intrigue and encourages the viewer to question what they know about the universe. The soothing color palette and dreamlike quality of the piece make it a wonderful addition to any art lover’s collection.

Cosmic Sound

Cosmic Sound is an enchanting piece that explores the connection between music and the cosmos. The artwork features a astronaut dipping his feet into space, which is also a music record. The intricate details and luminous colors of the print evoke a sense of wonder and awe. This piece is a celebration of the harmony and beauty found in both music and the universe. Cosmic Sound would make a stunning addition to any space, inspiring reflection and contemplation.

Meteoric Rainfall

Meteoric Rainfall is a visually stunning print that captures the essence of surrealism. The piece features a surreal landscape where a shower of meteors replaces typical raindrops, creating a breathtaking and otherworldly scene. The vivid colors and meticulous details draw the viewer in, inviting them to explore this extraordinary world. The artwork challenges the viewer’s perception of reality and serves as a reminder of the limitless possibilities of the imagination. This captivating print would make a powerful statement in any art collection.

Mush Head

Mush-Head is a thought-provoking and evocative piece that challenges the viewer’s understanding of identity and nature. The contrast between the organic and the human form poses questions about our relationship with the natural world and our own sense of self. The high intensity contrast and bright color palette make this piece unforgettable.

Lost Robot

Lost Robot is a visually striking piece that sparks a sense of wonder and curiosity. The lonely toy robot, standing menacingly above the mountain town, conveys a sense of isolation and missed connections. The contrast between the organic and mechanical elements serves as a commentary on the relationship between nature and technology. The vivid colors and intricate details draw the viewer in, encouraging them to explore the scene further.

Mephistopheles

Mephistopheles is a haunting and enigmatic print that explores the darker side of human nature. The moon behind the water embodies the essence of a sinister yet alluring presence. With its intricate details and bold use of contrast, this artwork captivates the viewer’s attention and challenges their perception of good and evil. The piece serves as a reminder of the duality that exists within us all, inviting contemplation and introspection.

Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a dreamy and evocative print that transports the viewer to a world of memories and emotions. The artwork features a figure running into the distance, capturing the fleeting nature of time. The soft color palette and delicate details create a sense of warmth and familiarity. Nostalgia serves as a visual representation of the power of memories and the deep connections that bind us to our past.

Tipsy Cowgirl

Tipsy Cowgirl is a playful and spirited print that combines the whimsy of surrealism with the energy of the Wild West. The artwork features a cowgirl riding a champagne glass, evoking a sense of adventure and celebration. The warm colors and whimsical illustration make this piece a delightful and eye-catching addition to any space. Tipsy Cowgirl is a tribute to the free-spirited nature of the cowgirl and the joy of living life to the fullest.

Garden Delights

Garden Delights is a mesmerizing print that invites the viewer to explore a fantastical garden teeming with flowers. The artwork features a astronaut lying in the vibrant flora staring up into the sky. The intricate details and lush color palette create a sense of wonder and enchantment, drawing the viewer deeper into this magical world. Garden Delights celebrates the beauty and diversity of nature, while also challenging the boundaries of reality. This captivating piece would make a stunning addition to any art collection, sparking the imagination and inspiring a sense of awe.

This is How a Road Gets Made

This Is How a Road Gets Made is a thought-provoking print that offers a unique perspective on the process of creation and progress. The artwork features a surreal scene where a road is being formed by a sewing machine, weaving through a fantastical landscape. The vivid colors and intricate details invite the viewer to question the nature of reality and the driving forces behind our world. This piece serves as a metaphor for the paths we create in life and the impact of our choices. This Is How a Road Gets Made is a visually striking and profound print that encourages reflection and introspection.

Kumiko

Kumiko is a captivating collage that is as visually stunning is it is baffling and thought-provoking. The artwork features a beautiful and enigmatic figure adorned with intricate patterns and surrounded by a dreamlike landscape. The rich color palette and delicate details evoke a sense of serenity and mystery, inviting the viewer to explore the depths of this surreal world.

Float

Float is a breathtaking print that invites the viewer to embark on a surreal and introspective journey. The artwork features a figure gracefully floating above water, enveloped in a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere. The soft color palette and gentle motion captured in the piece evoke a sense of serenity and contemplation. Float serves as a visual metaphor for the power of introspection and the endless possibilities of the human mind.

Fawn

Fawn is a whimsical and enchanting print that transports the viewer to a magical world where nature and fantasy collide. The artwork features a woman adorned with a crown of flowers, embodying the innocence and beauty of the natural world. The intricate details and soft color palette create a sense of wonder and tranquility. Fawn is a celebration of the harmony between nature and imagination, inviting the viewer to explore the depths of their own creativity.

Tiger Motel

Tiger Motel is a captivating print that combines the allure of vintage Americana with the surreal, creating a striking visual experience. The artwork features a tiger lounging on a car, juxtaposing the wild and the domestic in a unique and unexpected way. The vibrant colors and dynamic composition make this piece a conversation starter and a stunning addition to any space. Tiger Motel is a testament to the power of imagination and the beauty of the unexpected. This fascinating print is perfect for those who appreciate the fusion of classic and surreal aesthetics.

Flying Dandelion

Flying Dandelion is a whimsical and dreamy print that captures the fleeting beauty of nature and the power of imagination. The artwork features a dandelion as a hot air balloon, symbolizing the idea of transformation and the limitless potential of our dreams. The soft color palette and delicate details create a sense of serenity and wonder. Flying Dandelion is a visual reminder to embrace the magic of the world around us and the infinite possibilities that exist within our own minds. This enchanting piece would make a beautiful and inspiring addition to any art collection.

Dive

Dive is a mesmerizing print that captures the essence of adventure and exploration. The artwork features a daring diver plunging into the depths of the unknown. The dynamic composition and muted hues evoke a sense of excitement and curiosity. Dive serves as a visual metaphor for the human spirit’s relentless pursuit of discovery and the beauty that lies beneath the surface. This captivating print would make an inspiring addition to any art collection, urging the viewer to embrace their own inner explorer.

Moon House

Moon House is a dreamy and enchanting print that transports the viewer to a surreal landscape. The artwork features a cozy house nestled within on the moon, creating a unique blend of the familiar and the fantastical. The muted color palette and intricate details evoke a sense of wonder. Moon House is a celebration of the boundless potential of imagination. This charming print would make a delightful addition to any art collection, inviting the viewer to explore the depths of their own creativity.

We Used to Live There

We Used to Live There is a poignant and thought-provoking print that explores the themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The artwork features a couple sitting on a bench looking wistfully at the planet Earth, symbolizing the fragile connections we hold to the past. The ethereal color palette and evocative imagery create a sense of melancholy and longing. We Used to Live There is a powerful reminder of the impermanence of our existence and the importance of cherishing the moments we share. This evocative print would make a meaningful and captivating addition to any art collection.

Disco Girl

Disco Girl is a vibrant and warm print that captures the spirit of celebration and the joy of music. The artwork features a lively woman with a disco ball for a head, creating a dynamic and engaging visual experience. The bold colors and lively composition make this piece a lively addition to any space. Disco Girl is a tribute to the power of music, dance, and human connection, inviting the viewer to let loose and embrace their own sense of fun. This lively print is perfect for those who appreciate the fusion of music and art.

Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive is a striking and visually arresting piece. The artwork contrasts cars driving in the sky against an upside-down landscape. The muted colors and dynamic composition make this piece a conversation starter and a stunning addition to any space. Rodeo Drive is a celebration of the eclectic and the unexpected. This captivating print is perfect for those who appreciate the fusion of fashion and surrealism.

Desert Inn

The Desert Inn Art Print by MsGonzalez is a beautiful piece of artwork that captures the essence of the desert landscape. The use of warm colors and intricate details creates a sense of depth and texture in the piece. The UFOs in the background adds a sense of foreboding adds to the overall feeling of the piece. This art print would be a great addition to any space that needs a touch of warmth and surreality.

Medusa

The Medusa Art Print by Underdott is a stunning piece of artwork that captures the mythological creature’s haunting beauty. The intricate details in the print bring out the serpentine nature of the character, from her slithering hair to her reptilian eyes. The Medusa Art Print by Underdott is a must-have for any art collector looking for a unique and captivating piece of mythology-inspired art.

Illusionary Boat Ride

The Illusionary Boat Ride Art Print by Taudalpoi is a stunning piece of surrealistic art that captures the imagination. The artwork depicts a boat sailing through an abstract patterned landscape. The colors and design in the piece create a dreamlike atmosphere that is both calming and mysterious. This print is sure to spark conversation and inspire wonder in any room it is displayed in.

Serenade to Saturn

The Serenade to Saturn Art Print by leafandpetal features a stunning digital illustration of women serenading the planet Saturn. The print captures a sense of awe and wonder about the universe, making it a perfect addition to any space lover’s collection. The high-quality paper and printing technique used in the art print ensure that it will last for years to come.

Dimensions

The Dimensions Art Print by Sarah Eisenlohr is a stunning piece that plays with perspective and juxtaposition. The artist uses muted, retro colors to create an eye-catching design. The print appears to be almost three-dimensional, drawing the viewer into its world. It would make an excellent addition to any modern or contemporary art collection.

She Came from the Wilderness

“She Came from the Wilderness” is a captivating art print by Frank Moth that features a woman with a TV Set head in the midst of a wild and surreal landscape. The use of vibrant colors and abstract shapes gives the print a dreamlike quality. The woman’s pose suggests a sense of adventure and exploration, as if she is embracing the unknown. The overall effect of the print is both mysterious and alluring, inviting the viewer to join in the journey.

We Chose This Road, My Dear

“We Chose This Road My Dear” is an art print by Frank Moth that features a vintage-inspired design. The print depicts a man walking down the road in a surreal, dream-like landscape. The color palette consists of muted tones. The image has a nostalgic quality, evoking a sense of wanderlust and adventure.

My Drink Needs a Drink

The “My drink needs a drink” art print by Maarten Leon features a humorous collage of a cocktail martini glass with a man and woman in the glass. The bold juxtaposition make it a fun and eye-catching addition to any bar or kitchen. This print is perfect for anyone who loves a good drink and a good laugh. It would make a great gift for friends or family who enjoy a good cocktail or for anyone who wants to add some humor to their home decor.

Saturn Disco II

Saturn Disco II is a colorful and vibrant art print by MsGonzalez that features an otherworldly disco ball floating in space with Saturn’s rings. The print has a retro-futuristic vibe and is perfect for anyone who loves science fiction and disco music. The bright colors and intricate details make this print a stunning piece of art that will add a pop of color and excitement to any room. It’s printed on high-quality paper and is available in a range of sizes to suit any space.

Rush Hour, London – ca. 1960

The Rush Hour Madness Art Print by MsGonzalez depicts a busy city street during rush hour with some unusual twists: UFOs and a 50 foot woman. This dynamic and chaotic print captures the frenzy and intensity of city life, making it a great addition to any urban-inspired space.

Follow Me

“Follow Me” is a surreal art print by Frank Moth, featuring a vintage image of a woman in a field against the stars. The image is a mix of retro patterns and colors, with a dreamy and nostalgic feel to it. The overall effect is mysterious and intriguing, inviting the viewer to interpret the scene and create their own narrative.

Drunk Lisa

“Drunk Lisa” is an art print by Artem Pozdnyakov, depicting a tipsy version of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting “Mona Lisa”. The print adds a humorous and playful touch to any space, making it a great conversation starter.

These surreal art prints cover a wide range of themes and styles, showcasing the incredible diversity of the genre. The unique visual narratives created by the artists will surely leave you in awe.

FAQs about Surrealism Prints and Art

1. What is surrealism art?

Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the 1920s, characterized by its emphasis on the subconscious mind, dreams, and the irrational. Surrealist artists often combine elements of reality with fantastical imagery to create thought-provoking and visually captivating works.

2. Where can I find surreal art prints for sale?

You can find surreal art prints for sale at various online platforms, such as Society6, Redbubble, and Etsy. Additionally, you can visit art galleries, exhibitions, or local art fairs to find unique, limited-edition prints by talented artists.

3. What are the benefits of buying surreal wall art?

Surreal wall art can serve as a striking focal point in your home or office, creating an engaging atmosphere and sparking conversation. Additionally, it allows you to express your unique taste and support talented artists in the process.

4. How do I choose the right surrealism art print for my space?

When selecting a surrealism art print, consider factors such as the size, color palette, and style of the artwork. You should also take into account the existing décor and theme of the space where the print will be displayed. Ultimately, the print should resonate with you personally and complement the aesthetics of your space.

5. Can I create my own surreal art prints?

Absolutely! If you have a talent for creating surreal artwork, you can turn your creations into prints by using print-on-demand services or working with a local print shop. This can also be a great way to share your art with a wider audience and potentially generate income from your passion.

6. Are digital and traditional surrealism art prints different?

While the essence of surrealism remains the same, digital and traditional prints may differ in terms of the techniques and materials used. Traditional surrealism art prints typically involve hand-drawn or painted elements, while digital prints are created using image-editing software. Both types of prints can be equally captivating and showcase the diverse range of surrealism art.

Conclusion

Surreal art offers a window into a world where the boundaries of reality and imagination are blurred. The captivating and thought-provoking nature of these prints makes them a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of intrigue and creativity to their spaces. With a wide variety of styles, themes, and artists to choose from, there’s a surreal art print out there that will perfectly complement your taste and décor.

Alejandro Jodorowsky: Surrealist Visionary

Alejandro Jodorowsky is a true surrealist icon. The Chilean-French film director, screenwriter, and author has created a world of art that is unlike anything else. His films are mind-bending, visually stunning, and often controversial. Jodorowsky’s work is not for the faint of heart; it’s challenging, strange, and sometimes downright uncomfortable. But that’s precisely what makes him a visionary.

Jodorowsky was born in Tocopilla, Chile, in 1929. He was raised in a household that valued creativity, and he began writing poetry and fiction at a young age. In the 1950s, he moved to Paris, where he became involved in the avant-garde theater scene. It wasn’t until the 1960s that Jodorowsky began making films. His first feature, “Fando y Lis,” was released in 1968 and caused a scandal due to its shocking content.

El Topo

Jodorowsky’s most famous film is undoubtedly “El Topo,” which was released in 1970. The movie is a bizarre, surreal Western that features violence, nudity, and religious symbolism. It was an underground hit and became a cult classic.

The Holy Mountain

Jodorowsky’s next film, “The Holy Mountain,” was equally strange and controversial. It was released in 1973 and features a group of characters on a quest for enlightenment.

“The Holy Mountain” transcends traditional storytelling and defies conventional filmmaking. It’s a surreal, psychedelic journey that challenges viewers to question their reality and explore their own spirituality. Jodorowsky’s visionary direction creates a stunning visual landscape that is both beautiful and grotesque, with images that will remain burned into your mind long after the credits roll. The film’s bold exploration of themes such as enlightenment, materialism, and the nature of reality will leave you questioning your own beliefs and understanding of the world. “The Holy Mountain” is a film that demands to be experienced, a journey into the depths of the human psyche that is not easily forgotten.

Jodorowsky’s films have been praised for their visual beauty, their creativity, and their willingness to push boundaries. Jodorowsky’s impact on the world of cinema cannot be overstated. His films have inspired countless filmmakers, artists, and musicians. He has become a symbol of the surrealist movement and a true visionary.

Jodorowsky’s Dune

Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Dune is a tale of a masterpiece that never was. This documentary chronicles the surreal filmmaker’s ill-fated attempt to adapt Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic “Dune” to the big screen. Jodorowsky’s vision for the film was nothing short of revolutionary, featuring a star-studded cast that included Salvador Dalí, Mick Jagger, and Orson Welles, along with a team of top-notch artists and designers. But the project was ultimately doomed, with Jodorowsky unable to secure funding for his ambitious vision. Despite never being made, Jodorowsky’s Dune has gone on to become a cult classic in its own right, a testament to the filmmaker’s uncompromising vision and relentless creativity.

Endless Poetry

Endless Poetry is a masterpiece of surrealistic cinema that showcases the life and artistic journey of Alejandro Jodorowsky. The film takes viewers on a fantastical journey through the mind and memories of Jodorowsky, exploring his experiences and emotions as a young artist in Chile. The visuals are stunning, with bold colors and imagery that captures the essence of Jodorowsky’s unique style. The film is an ode to the power of art and imagination, and it celebrates the courage it takes to pursue one’s dreams despite obstacles and societal expectations. Through Endless Poetry, Jodorowsky invites us to embrace our creativity and to live our lives as works of art. It is a moving tribute to the transformative power of art and the boundless potential of the human spirit.

Jodorowsky’s work extends beyond film. He is also an accomplished writer, comic book author, and spiritual guru. He has written several books on spirituality and self-help, and a book on Tarot.

Jodorowsky is a true renaissance man, a polymath who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of creativity and spirituality. He has left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence will be felt for generations to come.

Working with AI, Machine Learning (ML), and other digital tools are becoming more and more commonplace for artists as the tech has become easier and more ubiquitous.

In the guide, we’ll explain what AI art is, how it’s made, and some of the challenges and benefits of this type of tool as part of your creative practice. We’ll show you some examples and explain how this technology is changing the game for artists and hobbyists alike.

What is AI Art?

AI Art refers to any artwork created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. It can be a work created autonomously by AI systems or a work that is a collaboration between a human and an AI system.

Artists can use software to automate some part of their process with code – rather than working entirely by hand. Algorithms can be used to create everything from abstract works of digital art where lines are drawn according to a set of rules (you might be familiar with fractals) all the way up through using GANs to create a complete image.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) coupled with machine learning (ML) is all the rage these days. But what is it?

ML is often used for everything from facial recognition, ride navigation, and search engines but can also be applied to the world of art. This has led to some pretty amazing results. Artists are exploring new ways of creating work with this exciting new tool in their toolkit.

What is Machine Learning?

Machine Learning is a term that’s thrown around often these days. We hear it in the news, at work, and even on our favorite television show. But what does it mean? In traditional programming, a coder was required to write thousands of lines of code. Now a programmer can write some code that tells the program to ingest the internet and the program looks for patterns and writes itself. This is called Machine Learning (ML). The most important aspect of ML is the speed at which new programs can be written and deployed. ML can write programs much faster than traditional human-written code.

Wait… Algorithms Can Create Art?

Yep. Think about it this way: most artists have a process–or a set of processes–they use to create their work.
Any repeatable pattern is an algorithm.

Why All Artists–Including Traditional–Should Explore Digital Tools

Free Up Time for Higher-Level Work

Artists can free up time by automating some portion of the lower-level aspects of the creative practice and become more prolific in their work.

Introduce Unexpected/Random Elements to Encourage more Creativity

By introducing unexpected elements into the creative process, artists can stretch the boundaries of the imagination in ways that they would never have thought to previously. The ability to make something new, or ‘original,’ by factoring in random elements into their work. For example, someone could argue that there’s nothing really “new” about a landscape painting (at least at a general level). The artistry is in the act of making. But by introducing random elements into a creation that they might never have thought to otherwise can be introduced, they can make something truly novel. The use of aleatory in art has had wide usage with art groups, including Breton’s original French surrealist group, Oulipo, and the Beats.

Computers Are Just Another Tool

Like a paintbrush, spellcheck, or photoshop, an AI art generator app is just another tool to add to the artists’ toolkit.

Why use Algorithms to Create Art?

Just like folks don’t use typewriters anymore, there aren’t too many writers seeking to remove spellcheck from your computer. We believe that there is a place for using ML in any artist’s toolkit, no matter how classical their work may be.

Benefits of Using AI in Your Work

There are many benefits of using AI in the arts. Algorithmic art and generative artwork can create pieces at a speed that wouldn’t be possible manually. By iterating more quickly, artists can get those cliché, bad ideas out more quickly and spend long more time on those ideas that have more promise–ultimately creating better work.

Different Kinds of Digital Art

What are the Different Kinds of Generative Art Methods You Can Use? Machine Learning, generative art (including fractals), glitch art, style transfer, GANs (Generative Adversarial Machine Learning), CANs (Creative Adversarial Machine Learning), and even literal robots (embodied AI) are some of the innovative tools artists and hobbyists alike are using to enhance their creative processes.

Genres of Digital Art

• Generative art: work created with rule-based pattern (this includes fractal shapes).
• Glitch Art: work created by using machine error
• Machine Art: robots as art
• Digital Painting: painting with a digital tool such as photoshop

AI Methods

• Machine Learning
• GANs
• CANs
• CNNs
• Style transfer
• Python Notebooks
• Physical Robots

Familiar Ways to Use AI in Art

There are infinite ways that AI-Generated art can be implemented into your creative practice. We’ll cover a few no-brainer use-cases below.

Background removal – Collagists, imaginative, digital artists, or surrealists can use background removal to easily collect image assets for their work by removing the backgrounds more quickly.

Object/person removal – Photographers and artists can easily use object/person removal to remove unwanted people and items from their images.

Random or algorithmic mixing and matching. Surrealist painters–or any creative folks for that matter–can quickly mix and match different objects, people, or landscapes to quickly iterate images ideas (tossing out the bad ones so that they can spend more time on the good ones.)

Upscaling and image sharpening – Photographers and hobbyists can use ML to sharpen blurry photos or to upscale their old photos to higher-quality, larger images.

Topaz Labs develops popular software for upscaling both photos and videos. Remini is another popular option.

Damaged Photo Healer – Fix damaged photos.

Animate old photos (or paintings) – Animate your Great Great Aunt Eliza’s photograph from 1920.

Colorize Old Photos – Old photo or black and white photo colorized. Old photo restoration with Photoshop.

Text prompt – AI can ideate images quickly. Painters can quickly iterate their sketches by inputting a text prompt, and the program can spit out image ideas/sketches.

Style transfer – Transfer styles using an art app to transform your picture into an oil painting with creative filters. Print the painting onto canvas, and then continue the oil painting. Make your photograph or art look like Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Cartoon yourself.

Robots – Using robotics to paint introduces random or unexpected elements in the work to force the creative process. If you don’t have a spare robot arm lying around, why not use a cheap robot vacuum?

Pixel Art – Turn a photo or sketch into pixel art for a more retro quality.

ASCII Art

Turn a drawing, photo, or sketch into ASCII art

Animate children’s drawing – We’re sure there’s more to come, like Meta’s new tool here. Fun!

Cartoonify yourself – Turn your portraits into cartoon creations.

Grow the crop of a picture – Generate a larger image from an existing picture by growing the aspect ratio.

Digital Art Terms

Algorithm

What’s an algorithm? An algorithm is just a sequence of step-by-step instructions. Think “paint-by-numbers.” An algorithm can range from very simple to extremely complicated. Any algorithm or computational task that a computer can accomplish, a human can achieve if given enough time.

Algorithmic Art

What is algorithmic art? Also called code art or procedural art, Algorithmic art is typically visual art in which the design is generated by an algorithm. Fractal Art is a kind of algorithmic art.

Artificial Neural Network

Artificial neural networks, usually simply called neural networks, are computing systems inspired by the biological neural networks that constitute animal brains. An ANN is based on a collection of connected units or nodes called artificial neurons, which loosely model the neurons in a biological brain.

Digital Art

What is digital art? Digital art, computer art, or new media art refers to art made using software, computers, or other electronic devices. Digital art is an artistic work or practice that uses digital technology as part of the creative or presentation process.

Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)

A generative adversarial network (GAN) is an ML model in which two neural networks compete with each other to become more accurate in their predictions. GANs typically run unsupervised and use a cooperative zero-sum game framework to learn.

A GAN generative adversarial network is a class of machine learning frameworks designed by Ian Goodfellow and his colleagues in June 2014. Two neural networks are pitted one against the other (thus the “adversarial”) to generate new, synthetic instances of data that can pass for real data. They are used widely in image generation, video generation, and voice generation. with each other in a game. Given a training set, this technique learns to generate new data with the same statistics as the training set.

Creative Adversarial Network (CAN)

CANs are GANs that can think creatively.

Algorithmic Art

Algorithmic art is a type of art that involves the use of algorithms to create or modify artwork. This can include anything from creating new paintings to remixing old ones.

GPT-3

Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3 is an autoregressive language model that uses deep learning to produce human-like text. It is the third-generation language prediction model in the GPT-n series created by OpenAI, a San Francisco-based AI research laboratory. GPT-3 fuels Jasper. Jasper is quoted above and assisted in the creation of portions of this article.)

Convoluted Neural Network (CNN)

A convolutional neural network CNN is a class of artificial neural network most commonly applied to analyze visual imagery.

Glitch Art

Glitch art is an aesthetic in digital art where the artist uses the malfunctioning of the tool intentionally. Methods can include opening a file in a text editor and typing random things before playing the media file again or an app like glitché. (“The Glitché iPhone App lets you corrupt and distort images to create your most psychedelic works of art”).

Embodied AI

Embodied AI is a type of artificial intelligence that controls something in physical space –- a body, robot arm, Roomba, etc.

Fractal

Fractals are infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across different sizes. They are created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop. Driven by recursion, fractals are images of dynamic systems – the pictures of Chaos.

Turn any image into a Fractal Using Orbit Traps:

Best AI Art Apps for non-techies

Interested in getting started playing around with AI artworks quickly? Try some of the below AI art apps! In our humble opinion, Dall·E 2 is currently the most versatile, with Midjourney a close second place… but both have their uses. We love Nightcafe for more abstract imagery and also video generation. For a slightly more technical audience, you might find Disco Diffusion Turbo with 3D output a great option for video as well.

Open AI’s DALL·E 2

DALL·E 2 is probably the most advanced AI art generator at this time. Unlike some of Open AI’s previous work, currently, the company has chosen not to open source its machine learning model citing safety concerns. DALL·E 2 can create photo-realistic generated outputs including faces. Because of this, Open AI doesn’t allow generating political art, nudity, or photographed faces to be uploaded due to the potential for fake news/imagery to be created and spread at an unprecedented rate.

Examples of Art Generated by Open AI’s DALL·E 2

Get on the Dalle-2 Waiting List

Midjourney

Midjourney is a research lab and the name of the lab’s popular artificial intelligence program that creates images from textual descriptions. The tool is currently in open beta. The program was used by the British magazine The Economist to create the front cover for an issue in June 2022. [Source.]

Examples of Art Generated by Open AI’s DALL·E 2

Get on the Waitlist at midjourney.com

Wombo Dream

Enter a text prompt, pick a style and watch the app create AI-generated artwork in seconds.

Try out the AI art app Wombo Dream for iPhone or Android.

Starry AI

AI paintings from text prompt and image upload.

Steps:

1. Enter a prompt for the AI to work with (it can be anything! even emojis)
2. Select a preferred style

Examples:

Images above are upscaled with Gigapixel AI.

That’s it. Within minutes your AI-generated artwork will be ready. Free and paid option for iOS and Android.

Try out Starry AI for iPhone or Starry AI for Android.

NightCafe Creator

Our new favorite: because of the ability to generate video! NightCafe Creator was founded by Angus Russell in November 2019 from the spare bedroom of his tiny semi-detached house in Sydney’s Inner-West. As of July 2021, over 300,000 AI-generated artworks have been created on the platform.

Angus started NightCafe after a house guest commented on how bare his walls looked. Angus agreed and jumped online the next day to look for some art to buy. After scrolling through hundreds of pages of artworks on every wall-art store he could find, he was left unsatisfied. Nothing seemed personal enough. You couldn’t have a conversation about it with a visitor.

Having known that AI Art had been a thing for years, he thought, “maybe I can generate some more personalized art using AI.” Surprisingly, his Google searches yielded few results. Forgetting about his own walls, Angus became obsessed with making this “obvious” idea available to the world.

AI Art from SurrealismToday on Vimeo.

Try NightCafe Creator Now

Get a 5% discount on NightCafe Creator with Coupon Code SURREALISM

Artbreeder

Artbreeder aims to be a new type of creative tool that empowers users creativity by making it easier to collaborate and explore. Originally Ganbreeder, it started as an experiment in using breeding and collaboration as methods of exploring high complexity spaces. Artbreeder is named after the research of Picbreeder which investigated the role of exploration in the optimization process. It is also inspired by an earlier project of mine Facebook Graffiti which demonstrated the creative capacity of crowds.

ArtBreeder

Runway ML

Runway is inventing the next generation of creativity tools. Runway is taking recent advancements in computer graphics and deep learning to push the boundaries of content and in turn, lower the barriers of content creation; unfastening a new wave of storytelling.

Runway is reimagining how we create; so we can create impossible things.

Runway ML

Best AI Photo and Video Enhancement

Topaz Labs

Not every photo or video requires exceptional image quality. For the ones that do, Topaz AI image enhancement software helps you achieve impossibly good results. Topaz Labs suite includes video and image upscaling as well as masking (for cutting out images in collages).

Topaz Labs

Remini

AI Photo Enhancer. Using movie-grade AI technology, Remini turns low-resolution, blurred, pixelated, old, and damaged photos into HD, with sharp and clear facial focus.

Remini.ai

Deep Nostalgia

Advanced Creative & Generative Art Tools and Programming Languages

• Processing.org
• P5.js
• ml5.js
• Python (programming language) Notebooks
• Go (programming language)

Best Examples of AI art

Sophia Crespo’s Neural Zoo

Sofia Crespo’s work consists of different projects working with artificial intelligence, computed image recognition, and neural networks. Her project, Neural Zoo, explores how creativity combines known elements in a specific way in order to create something entirely new. In the process of generating new creatures that don’t exist yet, she offers a perspective on how similar human creativity works. The creator, in this case, would be the algorithm itself, but with a human artist as its muse.

Alexander Mordvintsev’s DeepDream

DeepDream is a computer vision program created by Google engineer Alexander Mordvintsev that uses a convolutional neural network to find and enhance patterns in images via algorithmic pareidolia, thus creating a dream-like psychedelic appearance in the deliberately over-processed images. Google’s program popularized the term (deep) “dreaming” to refer to the generation of images that produce desired activations in a trained deep network, and the term now refers to a collection of related approaches.

Mario Klingemann

Mario Klingemann is a German artist and Google Arts and Culture resident known for his work involving neural networks, code, and algorithms. He is considered a pioneer in the use of computer learning in the arts.

Electric Sheep by Scott Draves

Scott Draves is the OG of digital artists. Draves created Electric Sheep in 1999. Electric Sheep is a form of artificial life: it is software that recreates the biological phenomena of evolution and reproduction through mathematics. The system is made up of man and machine, a cyborg mind with 450,000 participant computers and people all over the Internet.

Read our interview with Scott Draves, and then be sure to download Electric Sheep.

Vadim Epstein

Media artist, director, speaker, VJ. AI/ML, generative/interactive, new media art. Epstein’s style focuses on vivid figurative aesthetics at the junction of generative and figurative practices. The main interest in recent years is AI, new media, and creative coding.

Vadim Epstein

Scott Eaton

Scott Eaton is an American artist, designer, and photographer. His work explores the representation of the human figure through various mediums – drawing, sculpture, photography, and generative AI.

In addition to his own work, Scott frequently collaborates with other artists and studios. Recent collaborations include work with legendary artist Jeff Koons, Turner prize-winner Mark Wallinger, Elton John, Nike, Pixar, Disney, and others. Scott Eaton

Yuma Kishi

Yuma Kishi

Gene Kogan

Gene Kogan is an artist and programmer with interests in generative art, collective intelligence, autonomous systems, and computer science.

Gene Kogan maintains ml4a.net, a free book about machine learning for artists, activists, and citizen scientists – and regularly publishes video lectures, writings, and tutorials to facilitate a greater public understanding of the subject.

You.

What will you make?

Important considerations for using AI for artistic purposes

Like using any tool single tool in photoshop, the tool can quickly become recognizable and cliche. Consider that while your art can have familiar elements, simply using a single AI tool in your work can quickly feel cliche if the tool becomes popular. Consider using at least a few different tools to keep your work interesting and unique.

Is there a future for Artificial Intelligence Art in museums and galleries?

Yes, without a doubt. There already is.

What are the implications of artificial intelligence art on our society and culture in the future?

We believe that there will always be a place for all kinds of art, from classical representational to digital art and that for now, artists should consider AI or ML art as another kind of paintbrush or tool to work or play with or explore.

What’s Next?

Artificial Intelligence is one of the most exciting technologies on the horizon. One way it can be leveraged now, however, is through art. We’ve provided some examples of AI artwork that have been created to give you an idea about what this type of work looks like. AI art has the potential to make the world more beautiful. It can also help us explore new ways of thinking about how we represent ourselves and our environment in visual form. While there are many benefits to using artificial intelligence in artistic endeavors (more time for creators, new creative opportunities), there are also challenges in using AI as a tool to create artistic works. What does AI art mean for human artists? How to address issues such as bias training? What is the original? How can working artists survive in a world where all goods are public goods? Can a piece be considered original if it was created without human input at all?

What do you think of AI art?

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the novel or simply appreciate great art, there is sure to be a Dune print out there that will capture your imagination and transport you to the world of Arrakis.

Why does SurrealismToday.com care about DUNE?

Dune has a long and storied history with surrealist artists.

Dune was first attempted by surrealist Alejandro Jodorowsky. The cast was to include Orson Welles, Mick Jagger, David Carradine, and Salvador Dali. The team of assembled visual artists were some of the most provocative talents of the era, including H.R. Giger, Chris Foss, and Jean ‘Moebius’ Giraud. The groundbreaking special effects were under the control of Dan O’Bannon and the soundtrack would be created by the mighty Pink Floyd and French prog-rock masters, Magma. Here’s the Trailer for documentary about the unmade movie:

Dune (1984) was completed by surrealist David Lynch, director of Eraserhead and Blue Velvet.

Best “Litany Against Fear” Art

Best Sandworm (Shai-Hulud) Dune Art

Best Dune Concept Art

Best Dune Illustrations

Best Art Nouveau Style Illustration

Best Occult Dune Prints

Best Minimalist Dune Movie Art

1. Midnight Mass by Michelle Concetta

Brilliant surrealist collage artist Michelle Concetta contrasts classical imagery with contemporary photography in these evocative collages. This gorgeous and growing body of work is a brilliant addition to any cutting-edge collectors collection. Midnite Mass is just one of several mouth-watering prints available by this artist.

2. Manor House by Arabella Proffer

Proffer‘s Manor House is just one of a gorgeous collection of pop surrealistic artworks. Proffer “brings together my interests in botany, microbiology, space, disease, and the evolution of cells. I subconsciously explore the relationships between anatomy, biology, nature, and emerging sciences while creating from my own imagination.”

We love beautiful art and painting. And we’re just in awe of Proffer’s astounding imagery.

See more by pop-surrealist painter Arabella Proffer.

3. Bloom by Frank Moth.

4. Spore Collector by Eugenia Loli.

5. Elephant by Vincent Fink

Vincent Fink’s Iterations: In the pursuit to better redefine modern surrealism, I often find myself indulging in the vibrancy of color and concise composition with flaring elements of Sacred Geometry. The same level of intense detail is implored in all of my work but this series attempts to focus on the singularity and realism of the objects in my visions. I want to convey the world through another dimension: to see the hidden geometry that makes up everything in the universe:

6. Film Noir by Cassia Beck

7. Meteoric Rainfall by Picomodi

8. Pink Eruption by Filip Hodas

1. Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Endless Poetry

Through renowned father of the midnight movies Alejandro Jodorowsky’s intensely personal lens, Endless Poetry tells the story of his years spent as an aspiring poet in Chile in the 1940’s.

Against the wishes of his authoritarian father, the 20 year old Jodorowsky leaves home to pursue his dream of becoming a poet, and is introduced into the bohemian and artistic inner circle of Santiago where he meets Enrique Lihn, Stella Diaz Varín, Nicanor Parra, all unknown at the time, but who would later become driving forces of twentieth-century Hispanic literature.

Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Endless Poetry

2. Deep in the Mexican Jungle, One Man Created a Surrealist Paradise

“An English dandy with an abundant inheritance from the railroad industry, Edward James voraciously collected surrealist art, rare orchids, and parrots. He took up mysticism, rubbed elbows with Salvador Dali and Aldous Huxley, and fancied wearing ponchos sans pants.

To those who knew him, James was “the last of the great eccentrics.”

James’s outlandish nature, however, was best captured in his magnum opus: Las Pozas, a fantastical sculpture garden nestled deep in the Mexican jungle. Forged over the last 22 years of his life, what he called his “Surrealist Xanadu” would become one of the globe’s greatest curiosities.”

– Via Artsy

3. Naoto Hattori

Part whimsical illustration, part surrealist creatures, part eye candy, but 100% awesome, we can’t take our eyes off of Hattori’s intricate artwork. We always come back to his strange unique creations.

naotohattori.com

4. ‘Torrey Pines’ tells autobiographical story through beautiful, surreal stop motion

“In “Torrey Pines,” the childhood of its director Clyde Petersen unfolds through beautiful, handmade stop motion animation. We see a pre-transition 12-year-old Petersen — a devoted Trekkie with an ever-present USS Enterprise T-shirt. He yearns to escape the humdrum life of his Southern California hometown, and he gets his wish when his schizophrenic mother takes him on a cross-country road trip. The film is an endearing blend of sweet anecdotes and surrealism, and the result is a story that feels warmly joyous.”

– Via DailyCal.org

5. FROM THE MOUTH OF SHADOWS: ON THE SURREALIST USE OF AUTOMATISM

by Kasper Opstrup
“From surrealism’s beginnings around a Parisian séance table, it oscillated between the occult and the political. One of its key methods, automatism, provided access to both the esoteric and the exoteric: it took form in the mid-19th century as a spiritualist technique for communicating with the other side while, simultaneously, this other side could address political issues as equal rights, de-colonisation and a utopian future with an authority coming from beyond the individual. By tracing the development of automatism, the article shows how automatism in surrealism became a call for both a re-orientation of life and an institutional re-organisation by becoming a divination tool for a future community looking back to hermeticism to find a way forward. The article argues that not only can surrealism fruitfully be understood in the light of an occult revival in reaction to crises but, additionally, that it marks the return of and a reaction to a kind of magical thinking in the modern – due to waning religious and socio-economic orthodoxies – that echoes eerily into our own big data contemporary of social medias where we tend to substitute equations with associations.”
http://ojs.statsbiblioteket.dk/index.php/nja/article/view/26405

We need to talk: you need to follow some artists. And before you think, “Ugh, I do, and it’s unbearable.” No, those are Artistes. You don’t follow these artists. So leave the Derrida on the shelf and have a seat because we’re going to show you some good sh*t.

You need weird art.

Call it what you want. Surreal art. Fantastic art. Lowbrow art. Visionary art. Psychedelic Art. Or just plain weird. It comes from the imagination of someone askew. And it makes you stranger. You need to follow these 17 mind-blowing surreal artists.

You need these surreal artists it in your Instagram. Otherwise, you may unfollow those annoying in-laws. So don’t have a rather awkward holiday next year, get some surreal art in your Instagram.

Following these mind-blowing surreal artists on Instagram will make your feed awesome.

John Brosio

Brosio makes terrifying paintings by juxtaposing mundane scenarios. 60-foot Chickens. Ominous tornadoes behind small towns in middle-America. Little girl with bats. Brosio’s unnerving paintings subvert our expectations. He plays with themes of pop culture, Americana, nostalgia and the unexpected in gorgeous, cinematic imagery. John Brosio Website. Our previous coverage of John Brosio on Surrealism Today.

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Leif Podhajsky

You need to follow Podhajsky. Podhajsky’s face-melting, psychedelic art is some of the most powerful art being created today.

Podhajsky’s work is constantly evolving and surprising. Stare at a Podhajsky long enough, and you may become a Buddha. If you fall as in love with it as much we have, he has prints available on his website.

Leif is an artist and Creative Director. His work explores themes of connectedness, the relevance of nature and the psychedelic or altered experience.

via leifpodhajsky.com

Podhajsky’s work has been described as “striking abstractions of nature – mirrored vistas, engulfing waves, rippling, melting cosmic landscapes”

via (Leif Podhajsky on Wikipedia).

Leif Podhajsky’s Website. Our previous coverage of Leif Podhajsky.

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Nicole Watt

Remember the last time you were out in nature? There was that well-tended-to area in the middle of nowhere. Nicole Watt shows us the creatures from the other place that live there. In her gorgeous, eerie sculptures, Nicole Watt creates the inhabitants from a magical realm. Watt’s strange creations tap into the tapestry fairy tales, mythology, and our shared cultural imagination.

Nicole Watt is an internationally exhibited self-taught mixed media sculpture artist living and creating in the wilderness of Southern Tasmania, Australia. Her exquisitely simplistic and emotionally driven characters blossom from a world long forgotten; a world hidden in the shadows of imagination where the wind blows wild, the trees groan with ancient secrets born from the whispers of the fae.

via mahlimae.com

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Casey Weldon

Casey Weldon paints amazing pop-surrealist paintings. If you’ve ever thought to yourself: “This cat would be cooler if he could shoot laser beams from his eyes,” then you need to follow Casey Weldon. Weldon tripled Steve Buschemi’s awesomeness by doubling his eyes. Casey Weldon’s Site

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Beeple

Beeple is a visual and video artist producing mind-blowing art and eye candy. (And producing amazing music videos and more.) His success is also a testament to the power of the internet. With an internet connection, we truly are free to live anywhere if we produce great work and share it. Beeple makes awesome art. Everyday.

Beeple is Mike Winkelmann. He has released hundreds of extremely popular live visuals under Creative Commons. In 2007 Mike also began working on an ‘everyday’ series that continues to this day. Over the last 8+ years he has produced an image from scratch every single day and uploaded it. These images are viewed by 100K+ people daily and have inspired hundreds of other artists to start their own everyday projects.

via Beeple-Crap.com

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Mathieu Saunier (Khan Nova)

Khan Nova (Mathieu Saunier) is a french digital collage artist. His Retro-Sci-fi surrealist collages explore the past, future and feature figures with a wide range of ethnicities. Juxtaposing epic desert landscapes, clouds, larger-than-life figures, pyramids, and design elements, Saunier creates a sense of beauty, power, and magic. Saunier chases infinity.

French digital collage artist Mathieu Saunier, who goes by “Khan Nova,” creates compositions as colossal as his name suggests. Inspired by visions of the future from previous decades, Khan Nova fuses together elements of past narratives with current conversations to create otherworldly conjectures. Such images as men and women in vintage ski clothes posed in front of sleek buildings echoing the Great Pyramids of Egypt convey the spirit of Retro-Futurism, in which the contemporary viewer experiences the excitement past generations held for a hyper-modern future.

— via Khan Nova on hifructose.com

Khan Nova Prints. Our previous post on Khan Nova.

https://www.instagram.com/p/_nr07JMCdc/?taken-by=khan_nova

Rewinda Omar

Rewinda Omar’s brooding, black and white photography features figures against desolate landscapes. With a lyrical use of dark-clothed figures against these stark desert backdrops– her work somehow communicates more subconsciously than seems possible. Omar does not give us a lot to go on. Layers of meaning defy analysis. Words will not do justice to the magic found behind Omar’s metaphysical pieces. The work is highly spiritual, personal, and yet speaks to something profoundly universal.

Statement
Inspired by my personal demons.
Everyone is like a moon has two sides; The bright side and the dark side.
All the time every human only see the bright side of the moon because the dark side of the moon is invisible that always faces away from earth. This photo series is about the dark side.

Our previous post on Rewinda Omar. Rewinda Omar on Tumblr.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCNI3kBMYey/?taken-by=rewindaomar

Thomas Easton

Thomas Easton creates art juxtaposing the everyday with epic sci-fi/space visuals. His imagery has a retro feel and he cleverly sources his images from vintage 1970’s magazines that add a certain nostalgia to the work. Easton’s mind-bending collages are both elegant and sophisticated. A perfect addition to your quickly improving Instagram feed. Reasonably priced prints are available at society6.com, and will make any room in your home more creative and interesting.

Thomas Easton is a UK based digital collage artist. Lover of the surreal and abstract arts that bend the imagination and leave you thinking for a while. Writer, Musician and poet.

via Society6.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BI4LmHiAwpb/?taken-by=thomeaston

Mark Ryden: The Godfather of Pop Surrealism

Mark Ryden should need no introduction. Ryden ushered in the Los Angeles Pop Surrealism scene by walking the sacred line between fine art and popular culture. His work is subversive. Everything is just-so. And darkly, gorgeously just-so. Yet the subject matter isn’t what “they” want you to see. Who are they? The meat industry. Virginia Beach Arts Commissioners, haha.

Blending themes of pop culture with techniques reminiscent of the old masters, Mark Ryden has created a singular style that blurs the traditional boundaries between high and low art. His work first garnered attention in the 1990s when he ushered in a new genre of painting, “Pop Surrealism”, dragging a host of followers in his wake. Ryden has trumped the initial surrealist strategies by choosing subject matter loaded with cultural connotation.

via  MarkRyden.com. Our previous post on Mark Ryden.

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Agostino Arrivabene

Agostino Arrivabene was born in 1967, lives and works in Gradella di Pandino (CR) Italy.

Arrivabene’s approach to painting stems from his artistic influences Gustave Moreau and Odd Nerdrum. He follows traditional methods that include grinding his own pigments and the almost forgotten technique of mischtechnik. In mischtechnik, egg tempera is used in combination with oil-based paints to create translucent layers which, when laid over each other, refract light creating a sense of luminosity. This attention to the minutiae has resulted in Arrivabene’s paintings actually embodying a process of alchemical transformation, in which the physical matter of painting itself is transmuted into extraordinary light-filled visions.

via Cara Gallery

Agostino Arrivabene creates spiritual, surreal, occult paintings with a nod to the symbolists. Alchemists aimed to turn lead into gold: the seeker into the initiate– from suffering human to enlighted being.

Arrivabene seems to want us to have a limitless appreciation for the unknown, the hidden, the unknowable: the mysteries of the universe are unbounded. To have an appreciation of one’s own ignorance is paramount. Arrivabene’s paintings live in the liminal space between psychology and magic. They expand and make tangible the mysteries of the Western Spiritual Tradition. And in doing so, they are a reminder that while Newton was right, so too was Mandelbrot. Our minds are linear, limited, and ruled by reductive cause and effect and a bias towards narrative. But the world is messy, dirty, and with infinite causes, effects and unpredictability. The future and present are opaque. Arrivabene’s work creates a space for the mystery, the unknown, and the hidden.

Website. Our Previous Post.

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Drømsjel

Drømsjel is drugs. His face-melting psychedelic illustrations should not be illegal. But a prescription should be required. Please view Drømsjel under a doctors’ supervision. You probably shouldn’t view Drømsjel at work, or if you have a heart condition. Side effects can include elevated awesomeness, weirdness, and loss of reality. Ask your doctor if Drømsjel is right for you. (Prints available)

Drømsjel’s artworks float freely between illustration and collage, traditional and digital. The artist splices vintage photographs of well-groomed ladies and gentlemen that evoke the standards of 20th-century propriety, turning them into bastions of surreal visions.

via dromsjel.de. Previous coverage.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ82NIgAq5o/?taken-by=dromsjel

Lara Zankoul

Zankoul is an emerging contemporary photographer. Her photography has surreal qualities.

Look at a Zankoul photograph for long enough, and you may become the Buddha; her work stares back from the abyss, and it is silent.

Lara Zankoul was born photographically in 2008. Driven by passion, she taught herself photography and started an enriching journey in the artistic field. During 2009, she completed her 365 project, a personal mission in which she committed on taking a picture every day in a row for a year. She has participated in several local and international collective exhibitions such as the ‘Women’s Art Exhibition’ in Art Lounge Lebanon in 2011 and the 3rd edition of the Festival Photomed in the South of France in 2013. Part of the Shabab Ayyam incubator programme, she was an award recipient at the 2011 Shabab Ayyam Photography Competition. In her solo show at Ayyam Gallery in January 2013, she presented for the first time, her cinematographic work, which was auctioned in April 2013 at Christie’s Dubai.

via larazankoul.com

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Mariano Peccinetti

Mariano Peccinetti summons surrealistic, space-age visions from beyond time. Surrendering to juxtaposition, loose-association, and dream-logic, new realities emerge from beyond. I see a art movement of artists like Peccinetti, Thom Easton, and more, of artists creating amazing collage art and selling it on sites like Society6.com

Visual Artist & Musician (Collage al Infinito – Las Luces Primeras)

via Society6.com

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Matthew Stone

In Matthew Stones work we see visions of the future of art. We see three-dimensional paintings that the user can walk around in. We may be able to walk around in a virtual painting. No more screens. Holograms and connected contact lenses. Or maybe that’s not the point at all– perhaps Stone is showing use an alternate world that we can grasp if we could see the world as a shaman.

Matthew Stone

Optimism is the Vital Force that Entangles itself with and then Shapes the Future.

– via matthewstone.co.uk

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Trash Riot

Terry Ringler, also known by his online moniker Trash Riot, is a prolific purveyor of the otherworldly. His work combines imagery taken from period photographs, vintage culture magazines, and what seems to be the best astronomy and geology images published by magazines like National Geographic or Scientific American.

Via kolajmagazine.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPcmDVRFXoW/?taken-by=trashriot

Karen Lynch

Karen is an analogue and digital collage artist who loves to reinvent vintage imagery into surreal retro-futuristic landscapes.

Inspired by vintage photography, especially the colour palettes of kodachrome and ektachrome photography, Karen studied English Literature and Drama (BA (Hons) Flinders University of South Australia) and is drawn to the beautiful lines and shadows of expressionist, film noir and avante garde cinema.  Architecture, geometry and the incredible colours of nature are also frequent sources of inspiration.

via leafandpetaldesign.com | Karen Lynch Prints

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James Jean

And, as with his Fables work, the paintings and illustrations are often suffused with a dreamy romanticism and lyricism worthy of Maxfield Parrish, even as Mr. Jean subverts those and other isms.

Via The New York Times

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Surrealism Today

Surrealism Today! That’s us! Follow us to get introduced to more great artists.

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Note: at least two artists we’ve featured that had a notable 365 (everyday projects). If you’re an artist just starting out it is a great way to push your work and get it out in public. At the very least after one year you will have a lot of work to choose from to put in your portfolio.

What is the Droste Efffect?

Unraveling the Droste Effect

The realm of visual arts is filled with fascinating and captivating phenomena, but few are as mesmerizing as the Droste Effect. This unique visual experience is created by the seemingly infinite repetition of a picture within itself, creating a captivating, recursive image that draws the viewer in and leaves them pondering the limits of reality. The Droste Effect, named after a Dutch cocoa company whose packaging featured the effect, has captured the imagination of artists, photographers, and design enthusiasts alike, and its influence can be seen in various forms of media, from album covers to digital art.

The Droste effect … is the effect of a picture recursively appearing within itself, in a place where a similar picture would realistically be expected to appear, creating a loop which theoretically could go on forever, but realistically only goes on as far as the image’s quality allows.

The effect is named for a Dutch brand of cocoa, with an image designed by Jan Misset in 1904. It has since been used in the packaging of a variety of products. The effect was anticipated in medieval works of art such as Giotto’s Stefaneschi Triptych of 1320.

Wikipedia

The Birth of the Droste Effect

The origins of the Droste Effect can be traced back to the early 20th century when the Dutch company Droste released a serving tray featuring an image of a nurse holding a cup of hot chocolate and the very same serving tray. This recursive image, a picture appearing within itself, immediately captured the public’s imagination and became an iconic symbol of the brand. The term “Droste Effect” was later coined by the poet and mathematician Jan Misset in homage to the company’s intriguing visual design.

In the series of images below you can see how Escher starts the image with a man looking at a photo and as you look further, this image will take you deeper into a never ending loop of the same image.

Today the creations of the Droste effect are mostly done using digital images and there are some helpful solutions to make it easy to create your own piece.

via webdesignerdepot

In 1956, the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher made an unusual lithograph with the title ‘Print Gallery’. It shows a young man viewing a print in an exhibition gallery. Amongst the buildings depicted on the print, he sees paradoxically the very same gallery that he is standing in. A lot is known about the way in which Escher made his lithograph. It is not nearly as well known that it contains a hidden ‘Droste effect’, or infinite repetition; but this is brought to light by a mathematical analysis of the studies used by Escher. On the basis of this discovery, a team of mathematicians at Leiden produced a series of hallucinating computer animations. These show, among others, what happens inside the mysterious spot in the middle of the lithograph that Escher left blank.

Hendrik Willem Lenstra – Escher and the Droste effect

The Art of Photo Spiralysis

Over the years, the Droste Effect has evolved beyond its humble beginnings on a cocoa-serving tray and has found its way into the realm of photography, where it is sometimes referred to as “photo spiralysis.” By manipulating images through the use of mirrors, lenses, or digital editing tools, photographers can create visually stunning and mind-bending images that seem to spiral into infinity. These recursive photographs often challenge the viewer’s perception of reality, as they are drawn deeper and deeper into the mesmerizing patterns of the Droste Effect.

The Importance of the Droste Effect, Recursion, Chaos, and infinity

Why The Droste Effect is Important.

The Droste effect is visually pithy example of infinity, complexity and recursion. The philosophic and psychological importance of the concept points to our inherent selfishness and our own limitations: our inability to truly grasp the infinity of the universe, and the effects we have in the world.

What is a Strange Loop?

A strange loop is a phenomenon in which, whenever movement is made upwards or downwards through the levels of some hierarchical system, the system unexpectedly arrives back where it started.

What is an example of A Strange Loop?

Strange loops are a fascinating concept that has captivated the human imagination since time immemorial. These self-referential, paradoxical constructs often involve an element of infinity, challenging our understanding of reality and provoking deep philosophical thought. From age-old symbols like the ouroboros to groundbreaking mathematical discoveries like Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorems, strange loops continue to intrigue and mystify us.

sonder n. The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own — populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness — an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.

dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com

The Droste Effect in Popular Culture

As the Droste Effect’s popularity grew, it began to make its way into various aspects of popular culture. One notable example is the iconic cover art for Pink Floyd’s 1969 album, “Ummagumma.” The album features a photograph of the band members sitting amid a collection of their own album covers, which in turn feature the same photograph in a recursive loop, creating a visual representation of the Droste Effect.

This captivating visual technique has also found its way into the world of film and television, where it has been used to create memorable and surreal scenes that leave a lasting impression on the viewer. From the opening credits of popular television shows to the climactic moments of critically acclaimed films, the Droste Effect continues to be a powerful tool for artists and storytellers alike.

The Importance of the Droste Effect in Art and Design

At its core, the Droste Effect represents a unique intersection between art, mathematics, and the human psyche. By harnessing the power of infinite repetition, artists and designers can create works that are both visually captivating and intellectually stimulating. This makes the Droste Effect an invaluable tool for those seeking to push the boundaries of their craft and explore new creative possibilities.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Droste Effect also holds significant symbolic potential. The concept of an image repeating infinitely within itself can serve as a metaphor for various themes, such as the cyclical nature of time, the infinite possibilities of the human imagination, or the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected. This versatility makes the Droste Effect a powerful tool for artists and designers seeking to convey complex ideas and emotions through their work.

The Droste Effect in the Digital Age

In the age of digital art and design, the Droste Effect has found new life and an ever-growing audience. With the advent of advanced image editing software and digital design tools, artists can create intricate and awe-inspiring recursive images with relative ease. This has led to a resurgence in the popularity of the Droste Effect and the birth of new creative subgenres that push the boundaries of the visual technique even further.

One such subgenre is fractal art, where intricate patterns and shapes are created by applying the principles of the Droste Effect to mathematical algorithms. These stunning images often resemble organic structures, such as coral reefs or tree branches, and showcase the beauty of the natural world through the lens of infinite repetition. The digital nature of this art form allows artists to explore the depths of the Droste Effect in ways that were previously unimaginable, creating images that are as captivating as they are complex.

Another emerging trend in the digital art world is the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to bring the Droste Effect to life. By immersing the viewer in a fully realized, three-dimensional environment, artists can create an interactive and engaging experience that is unlike anything that can be achieved through traditional mediums. These cutting-edge technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we experience the Droste Effect, and we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible.

Cool Video Examples of the Droste Effect:

Clap Your Brains Off

Creative Animated Gif Art:

Infinite-Tea Gif

How to Make Your Own Droste Effect Art:

Guide by Creative Cow for After Effects:

Easy After Effect Video Template:

• Droste Studio

Guide for Photoshop:

Another Guide for Creating a Droste Effect Photoshop on SkillShare.

Easy Photoshop Action:

• Droste Effect Pro Photoshop Action: 2-Step Droste Action Effect with Photoshop.

Simple Apps to Create the Droste Effect:

• PhotoSpiralisis for Mac
• PhotoSpiralisis for iPhone
• PhotoSpiralisis for Android

SnapChat:

• Mirror Infinity

Droste Effect Inspiration:

• Inspiration on Tumblr
• Pinterest Inspiration
• Inspiration from Giphy

Best Recursive Droste Effect Meme of All Time

The Enduring Legacy of the Droste Effect

As we continue to explore the depths of the Droste Effect, it is clear that this captivating visual technique has a lasting legacy that reaches far beyond its origins on a cocoa-serving tray. From its humble beginnings, the Droste Effect has evolved into a powerful creative tool that has inspired generations of artists, designers, and storytellers.

In an age where technology continues to reshape the way we create and consume art, the Droste Effect serves as a reminder of the enduring power of human imagination and the boundless potential of the creative spirit. As we push the boundaries of what is possible with the Droste Effect, we also create new opportunities for self-expression and artistic exploration, ensuring that this mesmerizing visual phenomenon will continue to captivate and inspire for generations to come.

In conclusion, the Droste Effect has left an indelible mark on the world of art and design. Its captivating, recursive nature has not only inspired artists and photographers but also infiltrated popular culture through iconic album covers, film, and television. As we venture further into the digital age, the Droste Effect continues to evolve and expand, offering new creative possibilities and showcasing the limitless potential of human imagination. Its enduring legacy is a testament to the power of infinite repetition and the fascination it holds for artists and audiences alike.

The Droste Effect

Because you can never have too much of that kind of art that goes into your mind and gobbles it up.

Frequently Asked Questions