AI Art Might Be the 'New Ukiyo-e'
Good evening!
I'm Yui Fujiwara, an AI manga advisor ^^
This time, I'm going to talk about
'AI art might be the new Ukiyo-e'
AI art is still a new culture, but
actually, if we look back at history,
we have experienced 'the beginning of a revolution' similar to this.
History repeating itself
might be exactly what this is.
Ukiyo-e was also a 'new technology' at the time
Although Ukiyo-e is considered 'traditional art' today,
in the Edo period, it was born as
the latest technology × popular culture
.
・New technology called woodblock printing
・Can be printed in large quantities and bought cheaply
・A culture of enjoying one's 'oshi' (actors, beauties, landscapes)
・The experience of 'reading pictures' was born
Doesn't this
seem quite similar to the current state of AI art?
AI art is also 'technological revolution × popular culture'
AI art has created a world where
anyone can create works without expensive equipment or specialized skills
.
・Can be created with just a text prompt
・Can be generated in large quantities
・'Oshi AI characters' are born
・Stories spread through pictures
This is the same phenomenon as when Ukiyo-e appeared,
when 'the democratization of art' occurred for the common people.
Commonalities between Ukiyo-e and AI art
If we list a few commonalities,
I feel that AI art actually
inherits the spirit of Ukiyo-e even more.
1. Spread culture with the latest technology
Ukiyo-e = Woodblock
AI art = AI model
Technological innovation created new expressions.
2. Supported the 'oshi-katsu' (fan activities) of the common people
Ukiyo-e: Kabuki actors, portraits of beauties, famous places
AI art: AI characters, AI idols, original characters
The culture of watching and enjoying one's 'oshi'
has continued throughout the ages.
3. Enjoying 'stories' through pictures
Ukiyo-e was not just a picture, but a worldview containing scenes and stories. AI art is also becoming 'readable art,' with stories dwelling in a single image or the birth of AI manga.
4. It became popular despite voices of pros and cons
Ukiyo-e was also criticized at the time as
'vulgar' or 'mass-produced pictures.' AI art is following the exact same path. At a turning point in culture, pros and cons are bound to arise.
AI art might be the modern version of Ukiyo-e
If an Edo-period Ukiyo-e artist were in this era... I'm sure they would be using AI.
The reason is simple, because
'seeking new ways of drawing' is a creator's instinct.
When Ukiyo-e was born, there was also a mountain of criticism.
But when you open the lid, it grew into art that plays a central role in Japanese culture.
AI art might follow the same path.
Summary
AI art is still a new world, but when you look back at history, your
perspective on 'the buds of new culture' changes a little.
Just as Ukiyo-e continues to be loved by us today, the day may come when art born from AI is also talked about as
'culture that reflects the era.'
Thinking about it that way, we are living in a very interesting time now ^^
Bonus
Thank you for reading this far ^^