Vitruvian 2.0: A small try into a New Humanistic Era

Introduction:

In an era propelled by cutting-edge advancements such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and global social networks, I embarked on a distinctive project, "Vitruvian 2.0." This article shares my journey and the discovery of DALL·E and ChatGPT 4, learning through practice while attempting to create a work I had envisioned for years, despite my lack of artistic talents. After conducting research, I endeavored to express my idea to the best of my ability. Over five days, dedicating 1 to 2 hours each day, I sought to blend the artistic heritage of the past with the transformative potential of our present, creating a humble testament to our evolving time.

1. Technical Prerequisites:

My journey with "Vitruvian 2.0" began with the use of ChatGPT 4 and DALL·E, requiring only a one-month subscription. Please note that there are time and content limitations even with paid access, and you may encounter occasional pop-up questions to verify your humanity. There was no need for a high-speed internet connection or specialized equipment; a standard smartphone or computer sufficed. I'm not able to describe all feature offered by the tool yet, and feel like I am a very junior Prompt engineer today. There is a need of technical training, to be much better here. Note: it does not work with a VPN.

2. Defining the Objective:

My goal was to attempt an artistic approach respecting the techniques used by Leonardo da Vinci and create a new work with the revolutionary tool of 2023. The work, "Vitruvian 2.0," was envisioned to represent the reimagined human form through the lens of modern technology. The human body becomes a canvas for a series of enhancements and extensions, reflecting the symmetrical beauty of classical architecture.

3. The Method: Learning from da Vinci's Legacy:

In my quest to recreate the Vitruvian Man through modern technology, ChatGPT provided summaries of five key works written about Leonardo da Vinci, which were essential for understanding his art and science:

- "Leonardo da Vinci" by Walter Isaacson

- "The Science of Leonardo: Inside the Mind of the Great Genius of the Renaissance" by Fritjof Capra

- "Leonardo's Notebooks" edited by Anna Suh

- "Leonardo da Vinci and the Secrets of the Codex Atlanticus" by Marco Navoni and Franco Buzzi

- "Leonardo da Vinci: The Complete Paintings and Drawings" by Frank Z?llner

In addition to these resources, I also obtained a dozen style criteria that I wished to incorporate into my work.

4. Learning and Revising with AI:

The creation of "Vitruvian 2.0" was an enriching learning process, blending academic research with creative iteration. The use of DALL·E enabled the generation of successive versions of the image, with each iteration adding depth and complexity. This blend of creativity and technology opened fascinating possibilities, making exploration both stimulating and productive.

Positive Aspects:

ChatGPT's text interface opened up a vast realm of creativity, allowing for the development of complex ideas and the design of detailed images. This approach enabled the rapid realization of artistic concepts, offering a visual representation of my ideas in record time.

Limitations and Ethical Considerations:

The use of AI for artistic creation comes with significant limitations:

1. It is not possible to modify a specific detail on an already produced image; a new version must be generated from the text. It's a lot of copy-past and modified text.

2. The AI does not allow for the signing of the artwork or the addition of personal recognition marks, such as names or national symbols.

3. No violation of copyright.

4. No "borderline" freedom that many artists need to explore, to denounce or shock, such as offensive or inappropriate content.

5. Prohibition on depicting real people.

6. Respect for diversity.

7. Avoidance of protected artistic styles.

8. DALL-E is an one-step basic interface to produce images, in a single fixed resolution that is currently limited to 1024x1024 pixels.

These constraints ensure that AI-driven artistic creation remains within acceptable bounds while encouraging creativity and innovation.

5. Evaluating the Value of the Work:

DALL·E is remarkable in rendering a style or representation, producing unique works with each iteration. The final result of "Vitruvian 2.0," combining aesthetics and symbolism, illustrates a nice image to represent the extension of humanity beyond its traditional limits. This rapid and visually impressive creation demonstrates AI's ability to materialize complex artistic concepts.

Nonetheless, when I asked the AI if the result was a good drawing, it confirmed that certain styles were well applied, such as sfumato, respect of the golden ratio, symmetry, harmony of the body, and engravings. However, the AI's responses were primarily factual, focusing on adhering to my specific requests without offering a more comprehensive appreciation or deeper analysis. Subjective evaluation and deep cultural interpretation of the work remain beyond the scope of AI. A great artist knows when it's good, as personal appreciation are areas intrinsically tied to the human experience.

Conclusion:

"Vitruvian 2.0" transcends the image; the result convinced me that I had achieved something that embodies the harmony between humanity and technology in few hours. This initiative not only showcases AI's capabilities and boundaries in digital art but also signifies a monumental leap in mass creative possibilities. The capacity of AI to swiftly visualize intricate ideas and experiment with various styles heralds a significant shift. Yet, the full potential of these tools will only be unveiled when they blend seamlessly into a wider array of holistic artistic platforms.

In the evolving landscape of the digital revolution, we've witnessed three distinct phases: first, the era of infinite access, as seen in the vast libraries of media platforms; second, the age of infinite sharing, marked by the global exchange of images/self-made video at the swipe of a finger; and now, we're entering the era of infinite creation. This new phase is going with a lot of unknown, there are risks inundating us with an overwhelming tide of content, potentially more confusing than clarifying, and blurring the lines between authenticity and fabrication. Since this will touch us in a mass way, regulations are expected to increase.

Echoing a sentiment that another Leonard, L. Bernstein might have expressed, to embark on creating great art requires unconditional freedom and discipline. While DallE and ChatGPT present various disciplined techniques, they lack the boundless freedom of a blank sheet and pencil. Bernstein could have lamented the faster pace of scientific advancement compared to artistic creativity. Yet, in this era of AI progress, we're offered the chance to expedite artistic creation, opening endless possibilities for those rich in ideas but lacking in technical skills. This progression might result in an overwhelming array of uninspiring works, granting access to art techniques 'for dummies', and raising questions about the value of such democratization. I advocate for the availability of these tools, and the next generation of them, but emphasize the need for those disciplines: humility and transparency in every creation.

Despite AI's limitations in grasping the subtleties of human creativity, I think the result is a successful prototype that highlights AI's remarkable potential as an aid in creative endeavors. This fusion reminds us that while art often surpasses technological limitations, merging AI with human creativity can lead to extraordinary, transformative outcomes, broadening the horizons of artistic expression for many of us who want to experience it, at least to inspire.

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Please note that AI also assisted in refining this text, enhancing the quality of my written English through an iterative process.