And the Rest is Art History…
Introduction
The series "and the rest is art history…" is a collection of AI-generated images that take a tongue-in-cheek look at famous artists and their artworks. By researching the lives and developments of their most famous works, "befores" and "afters" are imagined, and AI text-to-image prompts are explored and tweaked, resulting in a final image.
The Collection
The collection is constantly growing and is available in NFT format, viewable at https://exchange.art/series/and-the-rest-is-art-history…/nfts.
Featured Pieces
The Discontent of Sarah Dupont
It was Autumn of 1769 and Sarah Dupont was not pleased with her younger brother, Thomas Gainsborough, when he presented her with this painting of her son – his nephew – Gainsborough Dupont. Thomas tried to argue that it was a true and accurate portrayal of the spirited young lad and his chums in the height of their youthful exuberance. Despite his protestations, Sarah was adamant that Thomas completely redo the painting, this time ensuring that the young Gainsborough was cleaned up, spiffed up, and raised up to the more befitting standard of a young gentleman… and the rest is art history…
Explorations into the Status Quo
Fully titled “Explorations in Challenging the Status Quo”, most scholars agree that this recently discovered photograph, in which we find Ai Weiwei experimenting with various conceptualizations of kicking against traditional expectations, was taken circa the early 1990s. We see here a range of items Ai has been using to question the blindly accepted mores of the time. It is believed that after some of the complexities involved in the directions that his investigations were heading, he realized that the most profound and effective way to express what he wanted to communicate was found in a single transformative and rebellious act of destruction… and the rest is art history…
Rene’s Fiery Epiphany
Late one morning in 1929. A morning that appeared as irrelevant as any other seemingly trivial morning. A morning that, however, turned out to be one of unparalleled significance to the reframing of the philosophical and existential truths of the perceived relationship of the created work and what it represents (maybe have a chat over a relaxed morning tea with Duchamp and Michael Craig-Martin a bit more about that). Rene stumbled out of bed worse for wear with a pounding hangover and definitely not on the right side of wakefulness. He reached for his pipe and lit up in the hope of puffing some clarity into his brain cells for the coming day.
Tamara’s Little Yellow Renault
When “Die Dame” magazine commissioned Tamara de Lempicka to create the cover for their upcoming edition celebrating the burgeoning independence of the liberated deco woman, she knew that there was truer personification of the concept than herself. And what better context than the modern woman, nonchalantly driving at speed, indifferent to the judgement of others, with a “fick dich” attitude evident in the autonomous aloofness of her demeanor.
Yayoi’s Mushroom & Pumpkin Soup
Circa 1939 and a young Yayoi Kusama returns from a trip to the forest area of Matsumoto where she had collected a delicious looking bounty of beautiful, fairy-tale red mushrooms all covered in white polka-dots. She adds the foraged mushrooms to the pumpkin soup she has gently simmering away on the stovetop. Inquisitive, she takes an exploratory sip or two… the universe explodes around her… and the rest is art history…
Pamela Cleans up for Tracey
During the year before exhibiting “My Bed” at the Tate, Tracey Emin was living her seminal work and exhibiting it around the traps. Whilst taking a break at the local from an almost completed bump in session, Tracey’s mum, Pam Cashin, drops by the space to see how things are going, only to find no one around, and the room in such a state! She takes one look and, just like a mum, she grabs a hoover, some cleaning gear and a bin and gets stuck in. Tracey returns later and after a minor melt down, reverts things to the truth – the diorama of the blatantly honest chaos of her humanity… and the rest is art history…
American Dentist
As far as visits to the dentist go, the memory of this one to his family dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby, in early 1930 remained strong. Something about it insisted that recollections of it randomly, yet persistently, kept returning to Grant Wood at the oddest of moments. Throughout the 6 months or so after the appointment the memory kept, without conscious effort or warning, declaring itself in Wood’s painting practice.
Whistler’s Mother the Day Before
When James Whistler dropped in on his mother the day before her big portrait sitting, this is how he found her.
The Next Day at the Pawn Shop
Looking a bit startled at being caught out, the girl with a pearl earring had no choice but to head down to the pawn shop the day after her sitting to haggle on a price for the pearl earring – Vermeer had reneged on their agreed-upon sitter’s fee and was ghosting her like it was 1672… and the rest is art history…
Rothko Paints the Kitchen, 1947
Circa 1947, Mark Rothko decides to paint his kitchen. He is not sure what colour to do it in so he uses some old paint samplers to try out some options. After some thought, he and Mell decide that they like it pretty much as is… and the rest is art history…
Andy, Marilyn & Yayoi Have Soup
It’s early 1962 New York, Downtown Manhattan, and we find Andy, Marilyn, and Yayoi getting together in a divey little diner, eating soup. Yayoi shares her recipe for mushroom and pumpkin soup. Andy contemplates the empty soup cans. Marilyn is content to have escaped the paparazzi and enjoys the temporary sense of anonymity… and the rest is art history…
Gustav and Emilie’s First Date
Gustav and Emilie’s first date wasn’t quite what Gustav had hoped for. Things did improve, though, and the rest is art history…
Helen Finds Inspiration Puddle
Out for a walk in Central Park after a brief yet torrential summer downpour, Helen Frankenthaler slips and ends up face down in a large puddle. Her initial disgruntlement turns slowly to wonder and delight. She has found her inspiration puddle… and the rest is art history…
Abandoned Concept Trial 32
There was a lot of trial and error in the development of Michael Craig-Martin’s ‘An Oak Tree’. The idea sat with him most of his adult life and he had many failed attempts at getting it just right leading up to its final iteration in 1973. This is a recent discovery of what is believed to be his 32nd conceptual trial. It was found in an abandoned shack in the far north of Ireland… and the rest is art history…
Don’t Take Puppy to a Dog Fight
Half an hour before commencing work on her "Three Children with a Dog", circa 1570/1590, Sofonisba Anguissola came across two of her sisters and a brother about to play what they called, "Cane grosso, cane piccolo!"
Conclusion
The series "and the rest is art history…" is a collection of AI-generated images that reimagine historical moments in the lives of famous artists. Each piece is a playful take on what could have happened before or after a significant event in the artist’s life, using AI technology to generate new and imaginative scenarios.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the "and the rest is art history…" series?
A: The series is a collection of AI-generated images that reimagine historical moments in the lives of famous artists.
Q: How do you generate the images?
A: We use AI technology to generate the images, using text-to-image prompts and tweaks to create new and imaginative scenarios.
Q: What is the inspiration for the series?
A: The inspiration for the series comes from the lives and works of famous artists, as well as the creative possibilities of AI technology.
Q: Can I purchase the images in the series?
A: Yes, the images are available for purchase in NFT format at https://exchange.art/series/and-the-rest-is-art-history…/nfts.
