Polza

@HannahPolza ∙ Published July 5, 2023

What’s your background and how did you get into AI art?

I have been engaged in art since childhood, having completed several art schools. I also have a degree in fashion design, and I worked as a fashion stylist for a while, but it wasn’t something I wanted to do long-term. Painting pictures has always been my main focus. I shifted from traditional art to digital art. However, when I discovered artificial intelligence, it completely shook me! I instantly realized that this is what I want to pursue in the near future.

What drives you to create?

The pursuit of beauty is what drives me in my artistic endeavors. I constantly seek it, finding glimpses of it in the most unexpected places. There is a profound joy in uncovering the hidden beauty within the ordinary and mundane. It’s a constant exploration, a journey of discovery.

Moreover, I have learned to harness inspiration even from negative emotions. Through my art, I can channel and transform those emotions into something meaningful and cathartic. It’s a way for me to express, process, and ultimately transcend the challenges and complexities of life. Art becomes a transformative medium, where darkness can be transformed into light, pain into healing, and turmoil into harmony.

By embracing both the positive and negative aspects of human experience, I strive to create art that resonates with others on a deep and emotional level. I believe that art has the power to evoke a range of emotions and perspectives, and through my work, I aim to share my unique vision and connect with others who may find solace, inspiration, or reflection in my creations.

What does your workflow look like?

My creative process is incredibly varied. It can start with quick sketches and go all the way to full immersion in my work. I find inspiration and express my ideas using a plethora of tools, from a napkin and a pencil at the coffee shop during my morning coffee to sophisticated software for creating augmented reality. I am always seeking knowledge and constantly learning new techniques and technologies.

Learning quickly is a quality I appreciate as it allows me to adapt and grow on my creative journey. I actively seek opportunities to expand my skill set and stay current with the latest advancements in the art world. Whether it’s experimenting with new mediums, mastering different programs, or acquiring new techniques, I’m always open to expanding my creative horizons.

How do you imagine AI (art) will be impacting society in the near future?

The use of AI in the field of art can have remarkable and captivating implications. The capabilities of generating art through AI enable the creation of unique works that were previously inaccessible or challenging to achieve. AI can assist artists in expanding their creative palette by providing new tools and techniques to bring forth novel ideas and concepts.

For instance, generative art utilizing AI algorithms can generate distinctive compositions, textures, and forms that never existed before. Artists can collaborate with AI, combining their creative intuition with generative capabilities to create works that captivate the imagination and evoke new emotions in viewers.

The use of AI can also enhance artists’ technical craftsmanship. AI algorithms can automatically enhance photographs, optimize lighting or colors, allowing artists to focus on deeper expressions of their creative vision. This can reduce the time and effort previously spent on technical aspects of the work.

However, it is important to remember that AI will not replace human creativity but rather complement it. Ultimately, the essence of art lies in the unique interplay with human emotions, experiences, and inspiration. The use of AI in art can be a powerful tool, but it will always depend on the creative vision and contribution of the artist to create something truly original and impactful.

Who is your favourite artist?

I have a few favorite artists who inspire me a lot.

First, there’s my friend Oko-Avi AI. We’ve been friends for ten years, and our connection is rooted in our shared love of art. She is an absolutely amazing traditional artist, and she also uses artificial intelligence in her creative process.

I also deeply admire Graphica.png. Despite our relatively short friendship, he has transcended space boundaries. He serves as both a teacher and a creative inspiration to me, demonstrating incredible skill in his craft. He is also a wonderful friend who never fails to provide support in difficult times and always looks out for me.

Additionally, the works of Michael Shantz and Yuri Shwedoff have had a profound influence on my creative path.

What is your favourite prompt when creating art?

I usually use very large prompts. To give the atmosphere in AI photos I always use the model of the camera, the lens, and describe the lighting in detail, exactly how the light falls. I love the play of light and put a lot of emphasis on that. Sometimes I use the names of the photographers in the prompt. You can see examples for Midjourney here.

Do you have a specific project you’re currently working on? What is it?

Just yesterday, I got involved in a curatorial project on SuperRare marketplace. Now, all my attention will be there.

Sloika.xyz

@sloikaxyz

✦ WINNER! ✦ We'd like to extend a warm welcome to @HannahPolza to our MONTAGE SuperRare space. Your amazing works are headed to @SuperRare as part of our Open Call. Congratulations! ✨ https://t.co/ix9IRq0GmA

June 27, 2023 15:47

We also have many plans with whatisiana. We released one collaboration and we’re just ecstatic about our results. The combination of our styles is perfect. We just have to keep going.

Would you tell us about the AI Surrealism exhibition in NYC?

AI Surrealism by Exquisite Workers and Superchief Gallery NFT is my first exhibition, and I am absolutely delighted! To be honest, a year ago, I couldn’t even imagine that my artworks would be displayed in the heart of New York City. It’s an great experience. My only sadness is that I wasn’t able to attend the exhibition IRL. However, I’m certain that this is just the start of my journey. My grandma is proud of me, haha. I’m excited to see where this path leads me.

At the AI Surrealism, each of the participants was given an individual Surreal mentor by the curators Anna Dart and Roger Haus. My mentor was Leonor Fini. At first glance, our art is not at all alike. But Leonor Fini was known for her images of powerful and erotic women. In my art, I often strive to convey just that kind of mood. Effect, sensuality, sexuality, and magnetism. I also wanted to move away from the usual AI photos to a more painterly style.

I studied Stable Diffusion until I got the results I wanted in my images. Then I painted and assembled the final version. The result gave me a lot of excitement. Because I used AI but was able to keep my style as a digital artist.

What does it mean to be an AI Surrealist for you in the times we live in?

In general, being an AI surrealist in our time means exploring the boundaries of art and technology, bringing forth new ideas and perspectives, and creating works that can astonish and inspire people. It introduces new dimensions to art and helps expand our understanding of what is possible and how we perceive the world around us.

Anything else you would like to share?

I would strongly recommend artists to take advantage of this opportunity. Despite possible concerns and doubts, using artificial intelligence can open up completely new horizons and perspectives in their creative process. This is the future that has already arrived!