Cover Image for This creator represents artificial intelligence using very little AI technology.
Mon Dec 09 2024

This creator represents artificial intelligence using very little AI technology.

"Overthinking? The style of 'Friend or Faux?' by The Verge."

Stormy Pyeatte is a video and photography artist originally from the UK, specializing in practical effects and image projection. Her work has come to life through collaboration with a design team to create the striking visuals accompanying the piece "Friend or Faux?", which explores ethical and philosophical questions about the new relationships people are developing with AI chatbots.

Pyeatte discovered her passion for projection while she was a student in 2013, during an internship with a projection designer on the Broadway production "Motown: The Musical." Despite not having a personal projector at that time, her fascination with this technique was inspiring. After graduating in 2014, she moved to a shelter in San Francisco where she worked in exchange for accommodation, which, despite being a challenging period, turned out to be a rich phase in her artistic journey. Through her connection with other artists, including Bradley G. Munkowitz and Conor Grebel, Pyeatte found the motivation to experiment with projection effects.

In addition to her focus on projection, she worked in the field of floristry, gradually combining these interests into an art form that intertwines floral design with projection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she had the opportunity to delve into her creative experiments, bringing to life visuals she had previously imagined.

When developing the visual concepts for "Friend or Faux?", Pyeatte focused on themes such as love, separation, and fragility. She aimed to capture sensations of obsession and daydreaming through a surreal floral world that reflected the complexities of human relationships in the face of technology. She was also inspired by Tracey Emin's installation "My Bed," using the projection of an AI companion onto an unmade bed to symbolize intimacy and human fantasies.

Although her previous experience had primarily been in personal and commercial projects, this collaboration marked her first editorial work. Pyeatte describes the difference in the creative process, where she focused more on recounting personal experiences and reminiscing about moments from her youth related to infatuation.

Regarding the technology used, Pyeatte detailed that the animations were planned before the set assembly. To bring the AI companion to life in the visuals, she utilized Runway, an AI software, which facilitated the creation of dynamic animations that were effectively integrated into her visual work. Additionally, she employed standard lighting and projection tools, as well as editing software, to transform her vision into a captivating visual experience.

Pyeatte also reflected on the use of artificial intelligence, acknowledging both its possibilities and the risks it can entail. While she sees the potential of these tools to amplify creative ideas, she emphasizes that the value lies more in the human process of creation than in the final output generated by machines.