Me and My Ghost: Generative Self-Portrait

AI Tool(s) Used

• Custom Generative Software: The image was created using custom generative software designed by the artist.
• Webcam Capture: This tool was used to capture the portrait image in real-time.

Description of Result

The piece “Me and My Ghost” is a digital self-portrait captured by Auriea Harvey in 2001. Using her custom-made generative software, Harvey created a haunting, ethereal representation of herself, captured through a webcam. The result is a ghostly and abstract image, emphasizing the elusive nature of digital self-portraits and the interplay between identity and technology.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Conceptual Design: Auriea Harvey envisioned a self-portrait that would explore themes of self, identity, and the spectral quality of digital presence.
2. Software Creation: Harvey developed custom generative software to process webcam imagery, creating effects that transformed real-time images into unique, abstract representations.
3. Image Capture: Using the webcam and her software, Harvey captured her likeness as an ethereal, ghostly figure in November 2001, immortalizing that moment digitally.
4. Final Artwork: The generative software rendered a layered, haunting portrait that represents Harvey’s “ghost” — an exploration of self in a digital medium.

Tips & Tricks

• Experiment with Custom Generative Tools: Creating unique software or using bespoke tools can lead to truly one-of-a-kind art.
• Leverage Real-time Data: Capturing images in real-time adds an authentic temporal quality to the artwork, making it a snapshot of that precise moment.
• Minimalism in Tools, Maximalism in Output: Using a simple setup (webcam, software) and focusing on concept can yield powerful, nuanced results.

Annotation

“Me and My Ghost” captures the essence of how digital art can be deeply personal and reflective. Harvey’s use of generative software and a webcam was groundbreaking for its time, demonstrating how artists can manipulate digital mediums to explore identity and presence. The spectral quality of the piece suggests the transient and often intangible nature of self-representation in digital spaces, making this work not just a portrait but a meditation on the relationship between technology and human essence. This piece encourages viewers to consider how digital tools both capture and alter reality, creating “ghosts” of ourselves that linger in the virtual world.

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