In a groundbreaking moment for the world of art, the inaugural Prompted Peculiar International AI Prize was awarded to a captivating black-and-white image titled “Twin Sisters in Love.” The photograph, featuring two women embracing an octopus, was created with the assistance of an artificial intelligence tool, marking a significant milestone in the fusion of technology and creativity. The Ballarat International Foto Biennale, an Australian photography festival running until October 22, hosted this unique competition, which is believed to be one of the world’s first AI-art awards.
The winning image, “Twin Sisters in Love,” was brought to life by photographer Annika Nordenskiöld in collaboration with an AI tool called Midjourney. This tool, known for its ability to transform text prompts into hyper-realistic images by drawing from a vast database of human-created visual art, played a pivotal role in realizing this imaginative composition.
Nordenskiöld, a resident of Sweden, emphasized the ethereal nature of her creations, stating that,
“None of the places, people, or creatures in my prompts exist in the physical realm. They were conjured from the sum of human experience in our deep collective well, as seen from my dreamboat with its flickering light.”
The award-winning artwork raises intriguing questions about the intersection of AI and art, prompting discussions about whether machines can genuinely produce art and what defines artistry in the first place.
AI in the art world: A controversial frontier
Art generated with the assistance of AI has been a source of both fascination and controversy. In 2022, an AI-generated photograph clinched an art prize at the Colorado State Fair, triggering intense debates within the artistic community. Critics accused the winner of “cheating” and claimed that it signaled the “death of artistry.”
However, the Prompted Peculiar International AI Prize at the Ballarat International Foto Biennale explicitly welcomed AI-generated submissions, garnering more than 100 entries from artists worldwide. The jury shortlisted 20 works, celebrating the playful enthusiasm for AI-generated image-making, particularly within the realm of photography.
AI-powered art-generation tools have piqued the interest and excitement of artists like Morganna Magee and Annika Nordenskiöld. Still, they have also ignited ethical and copyright concerns, leaving some creatives in various fields apprehensive about the future of their work. As machine-made art continues to advance, graphic designers, illustrators, writers, composers, and photographers worry about potential competition from AI systems.
Annika Nordenskiöld, while acknowledging the fear surrounding AI’s capabilities, sees it more as a collaborator than a threat. She stated,
“I understand the fear of AI and find it somewhat healthy, but I see it more like a colleague I am working with.”
The diverse winners of the prompted peculiar international AI prize
Aside from the grand prize winner, “Twin Sisters in Love,” the Prompted Peculiar International AI Prize recognized a range of exceptional artworks. Australian artist Hanna Silver received acclaim for her sepia-toned piece titled “Robot Intermarriage, Melbourne 1895, 2023.” The image depicted a 19th-century gentleman holding a robot’s hand amidst an urban streetcar track. This work garnered the audience choice award, selected by over 1,000 festival visitors.
The text prompt used for Silver’s piece included a description of an “old photograph from 1895 in Melbourne, Australia, Flinders Street,” portraying a robot marrying a tram in the middle of the street. However, the final artwork depicted a robot wedding, not involving a tram. Silver, showing a positive outlook, stated,
“Midjourney didn’t quite fulfill my idea, but that’s the fun of AI, you never know what you’re going to get. There’s a lot I find charming about this image. And love is love.”
