AI-Generated nude artwork fetches over $300,000, ignites controversy
The world of AI-generated art continues to push boundaries, with pieces such as Robbie Barrat’s ‘AI Generated Nude Portrait #7 Frame #111’ making headlines for their record-breaking sales figures. However, this evolving genre is not without its critics, as demonstrated by the recent sale of Barrat’s piece for a staggering 175 ETH ($343,761).
Robbie Barrat’s legacy in AI art
An iconic figure in the AI and generative art landscape, Barrat began experimenting with machine learning and generative adversarial networks (GANs) in 2018. His series of 300 AI-generated nude art portraits quickly gained popularity, becoming some of the most highly coveted crypto art pieces to date. However, despite their success, they have also become a flashpoint for criticism from those opposed to the AI art movement.
The story behind “The Lost Robbies”
The origin of these unique 300 nude portraits extends back to 2018, when Christie’s hosted its first Tech Summit in London, and the world of tokenized digital art was just beginning to surface. SuperRare, a newly launched NFT marketplace, was encouraged by Christie’s to create artwork for attendees’ gift bags.
In response, SuperRare collaborated with Barrat and Jason Bailey to create a layered artwork of 300 unique images, collectively known as AI Generated Nude Portrait #7. These images were tokenized and given away on ETH gift cards, but many were never redeemed, resulting in many of the pieces becoming lost – hence, the collection’s nickname, “The Lost Robbies”. Only 46 of the original 300 images can now be found on Barrat’s SuperRare page.
Appreciating AI Art beyond aesthetic
Barrat’s AI-generated nude portraits, particularly AI Generated Nude Portrait #7 Frame #111, have been targets of intense criticism. While some denounce the aesthetic as “repulsive” or “dead deer”-like, the artistic merit of these pieces extends beyond mere appearance. It represents a moment in digital and AI art evolution and carries a compelling narrative as tangible as the abstract depictions of flesh and blood they portray.
Critics often argue that AI art lacks human narrative and warmth. However, these criticisms often conflict, as critics argue for both aesthetic beauty and human narrative in the same breath. This double-think has not gone unnoticed by the crypto art community, which considers these pieces as seminal works of an era-defining art movement.
Pricing History: The sale of AI generated Nude Portrait #7 Frame #111
Determining the value of AI art is as complex as appraising any other art form, yielding both immediate and elusive answers. Barrat’s nude portraits, including the recently sold AI Generated Nude Portrait #7 Frame #111, represent a moment in the timeline of digital and AI art’s evolution.
Their narrative is so compelling that it almost embodies the abstract depiction they present. It might be challenging to put a price tag on such historical moments, but the sale of these portraits is a testament to the attempt to recognize and value the history they represent. The critique they attract should not undermine the significance of these trailblazing pieces in the evolution of AI and crypto art.
