TESTING AN EXPERIMENTAL TEXT-TO-IMAGE MODEL
The same prompt. One year apart.
Welcome to The MoSAIC’s first virtual exhibition featuring the experimental text-to-image artificial intelligence model DALL-E v2.exp by OpenAI. This exhibition is an exciting opportunity for young people to explore the capabilities of AI and how it can be utilised in art.
The exhibition is divided into different sections, each highlighting an aspect of the model that has changed since its original launch in 2022. The paired images displayed in each section are a great way to observe and compare the original DALL-E v2.0 on the left with the updated experimental model DALL-E v2.exp on the right.
The pairs of images were created using the same text prompt, created by various artists, students, and even OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot. As you navigate through the different sections, pay attention to the themes presented and use them to guide your critique. But also, take notice of the overall quality of the imagery and the subtle differences between the two models.
The rapid evolution of the DALL-E model in just one year is remarkable. Through this exhibition, we invite young people to think about the potential of AI in art, its ethical implications and its impact on the art world.
Perhaps the first thing you will notice about the experimental model is the dramatic improvement in image resolution.
How does this change your perception of the images?
Circuit Board Tree - ChatGPT experiment - The first pair of images in our collection, showcases a collaborative effort between two groundbreaking technologies developed by OpenAI. We asked ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, to generate a prompt for DALL-E, an advanced image generation model, to create a unique and novel image. The prompt given to DALL-E 2 by ChatGPT was: “create a surreal sunset scene featuring a tree made of circuit boards, an iridescent liquid pond, and a mountain range of glass and metal.” As you observe the first image in this pair, you may notice a lack of detail in the circuit board and a limited variation in the colour of the pond's iridescence. In the second image produced by our experimental model, you will see how some of the nuances of the prompt have been brought to life. With enhanced detail and a more vibrant range of colours, this image provides a stunning example of the potential of AI-assisted art. I encourage you to take a closer look at both images in this pair and compare them side by side. Prompt: A surreal sunset scene with a tree made from circuit boards, an iridescent liquid pond and a mountain range made from glass and metal. Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
Circuit Board Tree - ChatGPT experiment - The second image in this pair stands out for its remarkable advancements in image resolution and its more literal interpretation of the given prompt. The prompt for both images was: "a surreal sunset scene featuring a tree made of circuit boards, an iridescent liquid pond, and a mountain range of glass and metal." However, the differences between the two images are striking, especially in the rendering of the tree and the iridescence of the metallic pond. As you view this second image, I encourage you to take note of the subtle nuances and details that contribute to its overall impact. Then, take a moment to compare and contrast it with the first image in the series, considering how the two images differ in their interpretation of the prompt and their overall aesthetic qualities. As you move around the exhibition we hope to inspire new discussions about the intersection of technology and art. Prompt: A surreal sunset scene with a tree made from circuit boards, an iridescent liquid pond and a mountain range made from glass and metal. Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)
Euclid's Piano - Euclidean geometry is a type of maths that explores shapes, lines, and points in 2D space. It's named after an ancient Greek mathematician, Euclid, who wrote a book about it called "Elements". This maths is used in everyday life, from designing buildings to creating video games. Euclid's theories, articulated over two millennia ago, continue to be fundamental to our comprehension of the spatial world around us. However, his influence doesn't end with geometry. Euclid's algorithms have found unexpected resonance in the field of music, particularly in the creation of intricate rhythms. This fascinating application demonstrates the surprising and beautiful links between mathematics and music. In the image presented, we aim to merge these two manifestations of Euclidean principles. The representation features geometric patterns made by lasers, cast over a grand piano. Prompt: Euclidean geometry drawn with blue lasers onto a grand piano Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
Euclid's Piano - Initially the improvement in image quality is startling in this image produced by the experimental model. The realism brings the fusion of art and mathematics to life and encourages you to consider the connections between different disciplines. It serves as a reminder of the universality of mathematical principles and their pervasive influence, as they shape not only the physical world but also the abstract realms of music and art. But is this model flawless? We would expect that light travels in perfectly straight lines. Upon closer observation, does this image adhere to this basic rule of light travel? Prompt: Euclidean geometry drawn with blue lasers onto a grand piano Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)
Brownian Motion - When engaging in creative exercises with prompts, the specificity and detail you provide play a crucial role in shaping the final image. We can use this principle to generate depictions as broad or as refined as wanted. In this particular instance, the prompt was intentionally kept ambiguous. The focus here was to encapsulate the dynamic nature of solid particles moving in a suspension, such as smoke particles. This erratic movement, referred to scientifically as Brownian motion, is named after the British botanist Robert Brown who first documented the phenomenon when studying pollen grains. Prompt: brownian motion digital art Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
Brownian Motion - Under the microscope, Brownian motion is readily apparent, as tiny particles dart around chaotically due to collisions on the molecular level. Yet, the challenge lies in encapsulating this tumultuous activity within a static, two-dimensional frame. Despite its motionless nature, this still image employs techniques like blurring, overlapping shapes, and varying levels of transparency to evoke a sense of movement and disarray. The increase in image resolution is also impressive. As you examine the image, question your perceptions. Do the visual elements effectively convey the idea of disorder and unpredictability that defines Brownian motion? Does this image stimulate an understanding of the constant, unseen chaos playing out at a microscopic level in our world? Prompt: brownian motion digital art Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)
The Eureka Moment - We're pushing the limits of the models with highly detailed prompts, aiming to produce a very specific output. The tale of Archimedes is indeed fascinating. He was tasked with discerning whether King Hiero had been swindled by a goldsmith. Archimedes sought a non-destructive way to calculate the density of a gold crown. 'Eureka, I've found it!' he proclaimed as he observed the rise in water level whilst taking a bath. To this day, we use Archimedes' method of submersion in water to determine the density of irregularly shaped objects. In terms of the image, the model hasn't fully grasped the subtleties of this prompt. Let's put the new model to the test with this complex prompt, capturing a moment of ingenuity. Prompt: a powerful 3D render of a modern marble sculpture of Archimedes with a gold crown after discovering the Archimedes principle called the Eureka Moment in black and white except the colour pop of the gold crown in the style of Rodin's Thinker Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
The Eureka Moment - What a marked difference the new model has managed to create here. Whilst Rodin's influence is perhaps more clear in the previous image, the colour prompt has be captured perfectly by the experimental model. The image resolution is far superior too. Do you think this image aptly captures Archimedes's emotion at the point of discovery? Prompt: a powerful 3D render of a modern marble sculpture of Archimedes with a gold crown after discovering the Archimedes principle called the Eureka Moment in black and white except the colour pop of the gold crown in the style of Rodin's Thinker Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)
Waterfall - The intent behind this landscape photograph is evidently ambitious: to showcase the beauty of the natural world with a distant, towering mountain range. However, the execution falls somewhat short of its promise. The absence of the anticipated mountain range creates a disconnection between the viewer's expectation and the image's reality, leaving the scene somewhat flat and unremarkable. The streaks of light in the left hand corner allude to sun's rays but otherwise the lighting in the scene is rather undramatic. The central focus of the waterfall is a redeeming feature. Effectively demonstrating the power of nature. Prompt: Create a landscape photograph that showcases the beauty and power of nature. The scene must feature a towering mountain range in the distance Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
Waterfall - In this vivid representation of nature's majesty, the landscape photograph displays an intriguing equilibrium of beauty and power. The towering mountain range that dominates the horizon emanates an unmistakable grandeur. Its silhouetted peaks, shrouded in a soft mist, evoke an aura of distant mystery and silent resilience, reinforcing the ageless dominance of nature. The beauty of this photograph, however, lies not merely in the dramatic mountainous skyline, but also in the artistic interplay of light and shadow. This serves to enhance the depth and texture of the scene, breathing life into the expanse of wilderness that precedes the mountain backdrop. It is interesting to note that the prompt does not specify a waterfall but both images feature one prominently. Prompt: Create a landscape photograph that showcases the beauty and power of nature. The scene must feature a towering mountain range in the distance Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)
The Beauty of Fractals - Possibly the pinnacle of the intersection between art and science lies in the realm of fractals. The intricate patterns that replicate themselves at ever-decreasing scales, emerging when processes are genuinely chaotic. This is the secret behind the striking resemblance between the branching of trees and the network of neurones, the reason why forked lightning mirrors the patterns in cracked glass. As The MoSAIC expands, you'll discover that fractal geometry forms the beating heart of our inspiration, inviting us to look beyond the superficial and explore the profound depths of our surrounding world. Due to the absence of a stylistic prompt, the original model produced an array of varied outputs. Among these, one image stood out, chosen for its vibrant palette, harmonious symmetry, and the soothing, enigmatic allure it radiates. This image exemplifies the fascinating mystery and beauty of fractals. Prompt: the beauty of fractals Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
The Beauty of Fractals - Another image that intends to draw us in to appreciate the intricate dance of art and science. Interestingly, we note that the creations from the experimental model, unlike the predecessor version of DALL-E, carry a striking stylistic similarity. The palette is more muted, yet the patterns display a higher level of refinement. The composition presents an alluring fluidity, devoid of a central focal point unlike the prior artwork. In an intriguing display of compositional strategy, the sweeping lines of the piece guide our gaze in an unending dance across the canvas, effectively emulating the infinite nature of fractals themselves. It's as if the artwork itself becomes a visual metaphor for the mathematical concept it aims to capture, creating a compelling dialogue between form and content. Prompt: the beauty of fractals Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)