The Dying of the Art – When generative AI kills art

This new progressive rock song from Flawed Theorem questions the very nature of art. When generative AI started to create art, everybody had to find a way to understand and process the shifts in technology and society both. As an artist, who took years to learn how to paint a realistic portrait, it hurts that AI can do that in a few seconds, based on millions of pictures, and most of them used without permission. Do we show appreciation when we use that technology? Or are we silently destroying artistry?

Several months ago, I woke up with a dark vision of this world. Art is fully replaced by generative AI. Instead of painting pictures, playing instruments or performing dances, humanity finds themselves in the role of consumers that can create everything they can imagine. Art will lose its substance and credibility, as people forget about the process and emotions behind it. I reached out to Chris to write a lyric about my dark vision, and soon we figured that 7/8 is the right time signature to write an unsettling song. Its stumbling nature resonates well with the entangled emotions this topic creates for many of us. Will art survive, transform or die? Will we find a different way to express ourselves?

The cover artwork of “The Dying of the Art” is taking from the Cleveland Museum. “Memento Mori” by William Michael Harnett shows a citation of Hamlet and all sorts of death related allegories. We chose this painting to remind ourselves, what are we truly spending our lives on. What will remain after we’re gone? And also, because a piece of classical art is a bold statement against today’s perfectly generated artworks.

Our song “The Dying of the Art” is now available on all streaming services. A song completely free from AI, and is full of little mistakes and irregularities. A song, that talks about one of the most important topics of today’s world. Take 6 minutes to contemplate, and make up your mind.