Loved this Utsav and Sarthak. Helped me find some clarity on the topic of AI and Art. Also loved how you brought the stories of Vedran Smailović, Zakir Hussain, Lilian Kallir, Georg Cantor, Kumudini Lakhia to life through this narrative. Really enjoyed this. Thank you for the time and effort you put into building this beautiful world for me as a reader.
Thank you so much for reading Abhishek, and glad that it gave you clarity on the subject - I am sure both your and my thoughts will evolve over time, so let's see where we all end up as creators!
Yay! I'm so glad you love the music. All credit goes to Sarthak for doing his magic. Happy to hear that you found our work worthy of returning to. Thank you for reading and engaging, Hardik :)
An absolute pleasure reading this piece. The focus on spending time to find and curate your own definition of art and the individual’s associated style form that makes them create their art is all the more important in the current age, not just because of AI but also because of all the sources of stimulation that are constantly bombarded on the brain. Thanks again for your all your hard work in writing this beautiful essay. Well done.
Thank you, Avichal, for making the time to read, and so glad that resonated with you. I think more than many, as an artist yourself, you understand that the motivations and desires of making art are what drives one to immerse oneself in the practice of it, because that immersion is an escape from the bombardment and is our escape to a quieter, more peaceful place.
Beautiful, thought-provoking piece — the perfect read on a long flight (pity, I couldn't hear the music, though. Will make time for it later). Especially loved the part about AI not democratising art. It is an argument I've had with a friend, and your reasoning echoes with my thoughts on the matter. Here's to being an amateur, in its truest Latin sense, of loving something, without needing to be a professional.
Thank you so much for reading Devayani! I am so glad it resonated with you. I have always found the democratisation point a little too convenient take, and I have finally been able to sort my thoughts around it. And yes, there is a great joy in being an amateur, once we must never let go of :)
What an incredible piece, Utsav. I am part mindblown and part jealous of your ability to imagine and structure the write-up like this. I want to know the trick. How do you manage to bring all that information together? Surely it can't be intuitive. Spill the beans. Or, do I have to sign up for the course eventually when i am free-er in life? :D
Hi Namit, thank you for your kind words! Really pleased that you found this jealous-worthy?!
And no, you don’t have to join the course, mostly because I don’t cover this in the course! This is one of the most reader requested posts, so I am making extensive notes on my process (basically trying to name and formalise my own process). Expect this by the end of the year!
Incidentally I checked my email over the weekend, wondering why I haven't seen one of your posts in a while (has it not been a month since the last one? I thought). I look forward to every letter you post, not just because it is researched, written and drawn so well, but because in each post you remind me to live a bit better, a bit happier and a bit more creatively. I have been facing the same thoughts lately, "I'm pretty sure chatgpt writes better than me", "how long before I have to give up writing because my clients will just use AI instead" or replacing one of my sentences into a sentence written by chatgpt because the client "would like a more formal style".
After I read your piece, I went to my gym at the most odd time, so no one would be there, put on my earphones and danced my heart out. I felt, yes, this, THIS, AI cannot take from me. I have been dancing since I was four and I will continue to as long as my legs allow me. I am not trained neither do I do it professionally in any capacity, but AI could never touch the way I express through my body. It can never touch the way I make food for my family. It can never care for my pets and cannot make the scribbles and doodles that are strewn all over my pin up board. AI art is not art because AI does not have a soul. And that is what lies in every post-it note, every cake and every step I dance. Thank you for writing this. I cannot tell you how important it is to read and internalise the ideas in your essay. Art is not the end result, it is not the product, it is the process, the expression and the intention. And that, no AI could ever replace.
Hi Parvati, so much I want to say, but I am so happy to hear that you went to the gym and danced, and reminded yourself that there are so many things in our life AI will never be able to replace. As artists, I feel second-guessing ourselves is a part of who we are, and honestly, writing this piece has been cathartic, because I needed to express what I have been feeling and holding onto.
The fact that my work reminds you to live a bit better, a bit happier and a bit more creatively is the best thing I have heard all week, because that is the purpose of writing this Substack. I want more people to feel 'seen', and be ok with feeling what they are feeling. Thank you for reading and engaging so meaningfully.
As usual(with your posts), I’ll be returning to this article multiple times to let it sink into me slowly not just understand it intellectually. letting certain lines echo until something inside me shifts. As someone still finding herself — her voice, her potential, her place, I find comfort and inspiration in writings like this. They remind me that ideas dont have to be simplified to be meaningful. They can be complex and kind. Big and human.
Thank you for creating space for that kind of reflection.
Thank you for reading and engaging with my writing. I hope you find the journey of finding your voice rewarding, aided by your curiosity and self-reflection. I am glad that I could be a tiny part of that journey, and the fact that, as a reader, you are a part of my journey of writing and discovery gives me so much hope for the arts and their place in our lives.
Incredible writing and thinking Utsav! I read almost 20 mins of the post before going to bed and woke up itching to finish the rest of it. Just lovely thought process and articulation.
Thank you for reading Rahul, and I am glad that it gave you frames to think about. Would love to hear your thoughts and perspectives in our next Substack meetup!
Thank you Deepti, for almost always being among the first to read and share your appreciation! Once you've had the time to digest it, I hope you'll tell me what you took away from it :)
Hi Utsav..I loved the essay and understand what you are saying. But my question is, yes people who are exceptional artists will be able to survive and even thrive in the age of AI. But what about the amateurs. As a simple example, while purchasing decor for our hospital, the decorator chose a large no of cheap but beautiful AI generated abstract paintings. Buying from an artist would have been expensive. Dabbling in art as a way of expressing or as a relaxing technique is different from making it a profession. Perhaps Ai may dissuade people from taking up art as a profession.
Thanks for writing back, Deepti! I think the amateurs like me will do fine, for our end outcomes from art will always be different from those of a professional. I understand your point about artistic choices, and using AI-generated art, and in the marketplace, different kinds of consumers and producers will evolve. There will be people who will create AI Art, but will also be unable to demand a premium for it (because the buyer mentality is, Why should I pay so much for this?), which will make them consider if that is a path they want to go down. Many will continue to do so and will make a living off of it.
Which comes back to my point about style - The artists who evolve a distinctive style of their own will continue to thrive. They do not have to be exceptional, but being very good at it will also work. And if I may say, you are more likely to read my piece (and a book if I write one) knowing it comes from me vs AI's take on the same issue, because you engage with my style.
As for AI dissuading people from taking up art as a profession, I feel it's a tough question to answer. My interactions with full-time artists have suggested that they are driven by so much more than just making a living, that they would rather live comfortably (and pursue their art) vs living well (and not pursue their art).
And you have done it again..yet again! The sheer power and beauty within the human mind and the mess we live with, inside these human minds. The brilliant minds you have brought into the lives of your readers, and your own mind. Yes, we need to find our personal definition and dig deep..Thank you for a great 40 minutes, and thank you Sarthak, for some glorious food for the ears!
Thank you, Mala, for your kind words and for being such a huge supporter of my writing and The 6% Club. I feel in a world where everything is getting commoditised, digging deep and looking within ourselves is the only strategy left to survive and thrive. And fully with you on Sarthak's music - such glorious stuff!
Loved this Utsav and Sarthak. Helped me find some clarity on the topic of AI and Art. Also loved how you brought the stories of Vedran Smailović, Zakir Hussain, Lilian Kallir, Georg Cantor, Kumudini Lakhia to life through this narrative. Really enjoyed this. Thank you for the time and effort you put into building this beautiful world for me as a reader.
Thank you so much for reading Abhishek, and glad that it gave you clarity on the subject - I am sure both your and my thoughts will evolve over time, so let's see where we all end up as creators!
Thanks Utsav! I really enjoy reading your art 🙏 gives me a lot of new perspectives and most importantly it grounds me every time.
Thank you Jakub, for taking the time to read and engage with my art. I am really happy to hear that my work grounds you 🙏🏻
It is so comforting to read your views, examples and stories Utsav. Really enjoyed reading this.
And the music was SUCH a great addition to this, will read and listen to this multiple times till you both drop another banger on Substack.
Yay! I'm so glad you love the music. All credit goes to Sarthak for doing his magic. Happy to hear that you found our work worthy of returning to. Thank you for reading and engaging, Hardik :)
An absolute pleasure reading this piece. The focus on spending time to find and curate your own definition of art and the individual’s associated style form that makes them create their art is all the more important in the current age, not just because of AI but also because of all the sources of stimulation that are constantly bombarded on the brain. Thanks again for your all your hard work in writing this beautiful essay. Well done.
Thank you, Avichal, for making the time to read, and so glad that resonated with you. I think more than many, as an artist yourself, you understand that the motivations and desires of making art are what drives one to immerse oneself in the practice of it, because that immersion is an escape from the bombardment and is our escape to a quieter, more peaceful place.
Beautiful, thought-provoking piece — the perfect read on a long flight (pity, I couldn't hear the music, though. Will make time for it later). Especially loved the part about AI not democratising art. It is an argument I've had with a friend, and your reasoning echoes with my thoughts on the matter. Here's to being an amateur, in its truest Latin sense, of loving something, without needing to be a professional.
Thank you so much for reading Devayani! I am so glad it resonated with you. I have always found the democratisation point a little too convenient take, and I have finally been able to sort my thoughts around it. And yes, there is a great joy in being an amateur, once we must never let go of :)
What an incredible piece, Utsav. I am part mindblown and part jealous of your ability to imagine and structure the write-up like this. I want to know the trick. How do you manage to bring all that information together? Surely it can't be intuitive. Spill the beans. Or, do I have to sign up for the course eventually when i am free-er in life? :D
Thank you for writing this.
Hi Namit, thank you for your kind words! Really pleased that you found this jealous-worthy?!
And no, you don’t have to join the course, mostly because I don’t cover this in the course! This is one of the most reader requested posts, so I am making extensive notes on my process (basically trying to name and formalise my own process). Expect this by the end of the year!
Looking forward to it!
Incidentally I checked my email over the weekend, wondering why I haven't seen one of your posts in a while (has it not been a month since the last one? I thought). I look forward to every letter you post, not just because it is researched, written and drawn so well, but because in each post you remind me to live a bit better, a bit happier and a bit more creatively. I have been facing the same thoughts lately, "I'm pretty sure chatgpt writes better than me", "how long before I have to give up writing because my clients will just use AI instead" or replacing one of my sentences into a sentence written by chatgpt because the client "would like a more formal style".
After I read your piece, I went to my gym at the most odd time, so no one would be there, put on my earphones and danced my heart out. I felt, yes, this, THIS, AI cannot take from me. I have been dancing since I was four and I will continue to as long as my legs allow me. I am not trained neither do I do it professionally in any capacity, but AI could never touch the way I express through my body. It can never touch the way I make food for my family. It can never care for my pets and cannot make the scribbles and doodles that are strewn all over my pin up board. AI art is not art because AI does not have a soul. And that is what lies in every post-it note, every cake and every step I dance. Thank you for writing this. I cannot tell you how important it is to read and internalise the ideas in your essay. Art is not the end result, it is not the product, it is the process, the expression and the intention. And that, no AI could ever replace.
Hi Parvati, so much I want to say, but I am so happy to hear that you went to the gym and danced, and reminded yourself that there are so many things in our life AI will never be able to replace. As artists, I feel second-guessing ourselves is a part of who we are, and honestly, writing this piece has been cathartic, because I needed to express what I have been feeling and holding onto.
The fact that my work reminds you to live a bit better, a bit happier and a bit more creatively is the best thing I have heard all week, because that is the purpose of writing this Substack. I want more people to feel 'seen', and be ok with feeling what they are feeling. Thank you for reading and engaging so meaningfully.
As usual(with your posts), I’ll be returning to this article multiple times to let it sink into me slowly not just understand it intellectually. letting certain lines echo until something inside me shifts. As someone still finding herself — her voice, her potential, her place, I find comfort and inspiration in writings like this. They remind me that ideas dont have to be simplified to be meaningful. They can be complex and kind. Big and human.
Thank you for creating space for that kind of reflection.
Thank you for reading and engaging with my writing. I hope you find the journey of finding your voice rewarding, aided by your curiosity and self-reflection. I am glad that I could be a tiny part of that journey, and the fact that, as a reader, you are a part of my journey of writing and discovery gives me so much hope for the arts and their place in our lives.
Incredible writing and thinking Utsav! I read almost 20 mins of the post before going to bed and woke up itching to finish the rest of it. Just lovely thought process and articulation.
Thank you, Aditi, for reading, and getting a reader itchy to finish reading is the best kind of praise a writer can have :)
Thanks Utsav for giving us excellent frames to think about probably the most important question of our age. Great stuff this!
Thank you for reading Rahul, and I am glad that it gave you frames to think about. Would love to hear your thoughts and perspectives in our next Substack meetup!
Another masterpiece...taking some time to savour and digest this one :)
Thank you Deepti, for almost always being among the first to read and share your appreciation! Once you've had the time to digest it, I hope you'll tell me what you took away from it :)
Hi Utsav..I loved the essay and understand what you are saying. But my question is, yes people who are exceptional artists will be able to survive and even thrive in the age of AI. But what about the amateurs. As a simple example, while purchasing decor for our hospital, the decorator chose a large no of cheap but beautiful AI generated abstract paintings. Buying from an artist would have been expensive. Dabbling in art as a way of expressing or as a relaxing technique is different from making it a profession. Perhaps Ai may dissuade people from taking up art as a profession.
Thanks for writing back, Deepti! I think the amateurs like me will do fine, for our end outcomes from art will always be different from those of a professional. I understand your point about artistic choices, and using AI-generated art, and in the marketplace, different kinds of consumers and producers will evolve. There will be people who will create AI Art, but will also be unable to demand a premium for it (because the buyer mentality is, Why should I pay so much for this?), which will make them consider if that is a path they want to go down. Many will continue to do so and will make a living off of it.
Which comes back to my point about style - The artists who evolve a distinctive style of their own will continue to thrive. They do not have to be exceptional, but being very good at it will also work. And if I may say, you are more likely to read my piece (and a book if I write one) knowing it comes from me vs AI's take on the same issue, because you engage with my style.
As for AI dissuading people from taking up art as a profession, I feel it's a tough question to answer. My interactions with full-time artists have suggested that they are driven by so much more than just making a living, that they would rather live comfortably (and pursue their art) vs living well (and not pursue their art).
And you have done it again..yet again! The sheer power and beauty within the human mind and the mess we live with, inside these human minds. The brilliant minds you have brought into the lives of your readers, and your own mind. Yes, we need to find our personal definition and dig deep..Thank you for a great 40 minutes, and thank you Sarthak, for some glorious food for the ears!
Thank you, Mala, for your kind words and for being such a huge supporter of my writing and The 6% Club. I feel in a world where everything is getting commoditised, digging deep and looking within ourselves is the only strategy left to survive and thrive. And fully with you on Sarthak's music - such glorious stuff!