Swedish-based artist and writer Supercomposite, known as Steph Maj Swanson, gained attention in 2022 for her haunting AI-generated portrait named "Loab." However, the artist has decided to step away from AI art, citing frustration and limitations in the creative process. Swanson, originally from the United States, expresses her burnout and dissatisfaction with the addictive nature of AI art creation.
Creating "Loab" and Viral Impact:
Swanson used AI tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E to experiment with artistic possibilities."Loab," characterized by a red-cheeked, hollow-eyed woman, went viral on social media, sparking ethical discussions about the intersection of visual aesthetics, art, and technology.Negative Prompts and the Emergence of "Loab":
Swanson explored "negative prompts" to generate images excluding certain elements, leading to the creation of "Loab."The request for an image opposite to a "DIGITA PNTICS" logo resulted in the appearance of a haunting woman, inspiring Swanson to delve further into AI modifications.The Mysterious Persistence of "Loab":
Swanson noticed a peculiar trend where "Loab" would reappear in generated images, even after several modifications.Some images featured "Loab" alongside children, occasionally in macabre and bloody scenarios, adding an unsettling dimension to the AI-generated art.Viral Impact and Swanson's Burnout:
The revelation of "Loab" on social media led to Swanson's viral fame, with her life undergoing significant changes.Despite her obsession with exploring "Loab's" various scenarios and limits, Swanson eventually experienced burnout, leading her to step away from AI art.Controversies and Refusal to Reveal AI Tools:
Swanson has not disclosed the specific AI tool used to create "Loab," aiming to keep the focus on the art rather than the model's creators.Speculations and doubts arose on the authenticity of "Loab," with some suspecting manual alterations by Swanson, but she denies such claims.Current Stance and Future Endeavors:
Swanson, exhausted by the AI art experience, has ceased creating AI images and is presently working on a screenplay.She encapsulates her current sentiment about AI tools with a quote from Nam June Paik: "I use technology in order to hate it properly."The tale of "Loab" reflects the captivating yet challenging nature of AI in the realm of art. Swanson's journey highlights the addictive quality of AI creation, the mysterious persistence of AI-generated characters, and the artist's ultimate decision to take a step back due to burnout and creative limitations.
