Reflections

In response to the knowledge I have amassed whilst developing my practise I can break it down into several areas:

AI is here to stay

There has been an explosion of AI assisted systems over the past few years, unimaginable advanced have been made and yet we are only at the tip of the iceberg. Already we are seeing the trust gap between technology and consumer broaden, well no so much trust in the machinery but trust in the tech giants who own the code, which feeds off the data collected from each and every one of us. And that's an issue. Research has shown me the extent at which bias towards the "default" race is favoured and maintained; countless case studies have exposed flaws in the system from the inconvenient (passport applications) to life threatening (Pulse Oximeters).

This is a subject which has got my attention, it affects every person of colour in the UK and overseas and there is little hope for change any time soon. My blog post Week 10: AI - Database Experiments & Play explores this bias in more detail and touches on possible solutions such as ensure that the data going into systems reflect the diversity of the community and stronger testing and monitoring to avoid meltdowns such as that suffered by Microsoft's Tay bot.

We also have to consider the wider implications of the evolution of AI and robotic engineering. In my post entitled War of the Turds I posed a hypothetical doomsday scenario which in my opinion is totally plausible, but it doesn't need to be so, we have the means to stop AI becoming the evil parricide many believe it will, strategies which address ethics, regulation, safety and education need to be in place if humans are to remain firmly in control.

Research is king

I have in the past made art for art's sake, and I still enjoy indulging from time to time, which is probably why the work of Luigi Serafini captivates me. But I'm beginning to appreciate the value of research and its role in formulating coherent projects. The subject matter that interests me requires a degree of accuracy if they are to be addressed with compassion and understanding, as long as I have the desire to make my work public it is my responsibility to be on point.

I rely on a lot of printed material in the form of books and research papers but I've also incorporated a fair amount of less formal sources (mainly YouTube videos) to help form my standpoint on topics such as the Manosphere and Incel communities which present a problematic face of masculinity. Both came to life via the internet and some of its top practitioners have secured huge followings on their YouTube channels. It only seems right to acknowledge information found online as part of my research.

Research can (and does, often) lead one down a rabbit hole, and that's part of the allure, but I do find that I'm having to remind myself constantly of my intended search. The prospect of stumbling across a new influence, or an alternative viewpoint is always a bonus but the bulk of my research tends to be as a means to verify facts and to support an argument.

Who I am as an artist

My practice is changing every day, I'm finding inspiration from many sources, sometimes I feel that I should reign it in a bit as I can feel the direction of my practice shifting. I appreciate that change should be embraced in order to grow but I think it's best that I learn to manage those changes in order to get any work done. Occasionally I feel a level of frustration and resentment as I find myself limited in time and resources, the more I want to do the less I feel able to.

When I'm inspired I'm productive and energised, ideas come to me and I'll take notes and create mockups eager to bring a series to life. When the inspiration's not there I'm defeated, I question my ability and worth, I enter into a dark place which consumes any energy left and I feel angry for allowing myself to fall into that pit. I acknowledge that I suffer the effects of Imposter syndrome, I've come to terms with this and have noticed its hold weakening over time.

I'm determined no to be defeated, I enjoy what I do and must not forget that. My catalogue of work is an extension of myself, a vehicle for expression and the area of study behind my current project fascinates me so I'm excited about the possible outcomes.