The Artificial Art Circus is a term I came up with to describe much of the work I’m currently creating in video shorts, reels, and short films. I particularly like the idea of a circus because it reflects the kind of imagery I’m most interested in creating—something theatrical, unpredictable, humorous, sometimes unsettling, and often surreal.
I find it especially satisfying to present this work within a circus-like environment, and even more so within a stage setting. The stage gives me a place where I can control the dramatic and surreal illusions being presented. The characters, lighting, costumes, painted backdrops, props, sound, and movement can all become part of the illusion.
The Artificial Art Circus has also led me into creating short stories and small programs built around my artwork. In one of the examples presented here, I show the process beginning with my original drawing—the initial concept or idea. Through AI, that drawing is transformed into a character and environment, and eventually into a short film telling a story based upon something I actually experienced.
That entire process has become enormously exciting to me. I’m no longer working only with an individual image. I’m working with storyboards, script writing, character development, set and costume design, sound, movement, timing, and film editing. Artificial intelligence becomes one of the tools through which all of these elements can be developed and brought together.
What interests me most is the illusion of it all: beginning with something as simple as a drawing on a piece of paper and watching that drawing gradually acquire a place, a voice, movement, sound, and eventually a story.
That is the Artificial Art Circus.
