Nov 24Generative AI Art: 2016 to the PresentVia BoingBoing (Cory Doctorow): Wagner James Au sez, “AI algorithms, as AOC recently pointed out, often have a racial bias inherited by their creators, to the point where some can’t even ‘see’ people of color. Afrofuturist Nettrice Gaskins teaches…Generative Ai Tools5 min readGenerative Ai Tools5 min read
Nov 18New Blue Sun: A Meditation on Techno-Vernacular CreativityToday (Friday), New Blue Sun, the first solo album by Andre 3000 dropped. Fans have waited for two decades for the legendary rapper and performer to release an album but what they got was Los Angeles mediation music (which I’m into). …New Blue Sun3 min readNew Blue Sun3 min read
Nov 13Midjourney’s Style-Tuning: Collage & Remixing Using Generative AITo remix means to use a machine or computer to change or improve the different parts of an existing composition to make a new one. Remixing is one of three techno-vernacular creative modes that include reappropriation and improvisation. Collage is considered to be one of the ultimate remix practices in…Midjourney Style Tuner3 min readMidjourney Style Tuner3 min read
Nov 5The Prediction: Afrofuturism 3.0 & Generative AIIn 2015 the book Afrofuturism 2.0: The Rise of Astro-Blackness was released and it examines the applicability of contemporary expressions of Afrofuturism, from several different points of view and disciplines of study. I wrote chapter two titled “Afrofuturism on Web 3.0”, which navigated technologies from the past, then present and…Afrofuturism3 min readAfrofuturism3 min read
Oct 25Algorithmic Injustice & GenAI ArtA few days ago I was revisiting a text prompt in Midjourney that was inspired by blues musician and songwriter Robert Johnson, whose singing, guitar playing, and songwriting has influenced generations of musicians. The tool offered up four variations, including a startling image of a blue-skin, guitar-playing man-ape. …Algorithmic Injustice4 min readAlgorithmic Injustice4 min read
Oct 16STEM Week: Hip Hop’ademicsMassachusetts STEM Week 2023 is Monday, October 16 through Friday, October 20th. This past weekend we had the first of two Hip Hop’ademics workshops for educators. We’re offering the second one this coming Saturday. …Stem Week3 min readStem Week3 min read
Oct 10Generative AI & The Digital Production DivideThree years before the term digital divide was coined, and 30 years ago this month, I saw a seed of an idea I had planted sprout and take root in South Jamaica Queens, NY. During my four years as an undergraduate computer graphics student I worked as a teaching artist…Digital Divide4 min readDigital Divide4 min read
Sep 30My First Trip to Brazil Told Through Generative AITo create this image (above) I made a Photoshop collage from a photo I took of a floral print on a wall at Jongo da Serrinha, plus a photo of a young Mercedes Baptista who was a legendary Brazilian ballet dancer and choreographer. I took a photo of her statute…Generative Ai Tools4 min readGenerative Ai Tools4 min read
Sep 7Afro-Improvisation & My Trip to Rio: Part 1In a couple of weeks I will be heading to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It will be the third and last in-person gathering for my Ford Global Fellowship cohort. Brazil (and South America) has been on my ‘bucket list’ for many years, a desire that was intensified when viewing the…Embodied Improvisation3 min readEmbodied Improvisation3 min read
Aug 31Romare Bearden, Mechanical Reproduction & Generative AIOne of my recent book cover art commissions was released by the author on social media (see below) and someone commented/asked whether or not the original artists were credited since it’s “AI Art”. …Romare Bearden3 min readRomare Bearden3 min read
