The designer crafts thought-provoking visuals of an imagined Hong Kong using artificial intelligence.
The designer crafts thought-provoking visuals of an imagined Hong Kong using artificial intelligence.
Three individuals, hailing from China, seem to balance precariously on seats atop a decaying complex of apartments. This scenario, according to some, is unlikely to occur in reality, yet it captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of the metropolis's living conditions, thereby infusing a unique Hong Kong spirit.
The photograph is a blend of fiction, developed by AI, and historical context, with influences drawn from the artist's personal experiences and Hong Kong's working class history. Numerous frames in the collection are set in an AI-enhanced replica of the Kowloon Fortress, a former Qing dynasty stronghold that once housed the densest population on Earth. During the Chinese civil war, refugees seeking refuge in British-controlled Hong Kong established their homes within this enclave.
Although it was demolished in the 1990s, the fortress remains a vivid memory in the hearts and minds of the city's residents. The artist, despite never visiting the site, has been captivated by its history and views it as a symbol of a culturally and architecturally diminishing Hong Kong, facing constant modernization and gentrification.
Through detailed interviews and rarely-seen personal photographs, the artist has been able to flesh out and preserve the memories of former residents, recreating slices of their lives through AI-generated short videos and images.
AI in Art
The role of artificial intelligence in art has led to many debate, as artists voice concerns about their work being utilized to teach AI models without compensation. In response, Tse agrees with this sentiment but admits that tools such as Midjourney have empowered her to create works that would have otherwise proven impossible.
"I don't need to hire actors, I don't need to arrange all the settings, and, yes, it can save quite a bit of time and money, as no one is likely to invest in me to create these pieces," she explained.
This technological breakthrough has paved the way for Tse, a freelance advertising creative director, to share her AI experiments on Instagram. Her work was later included in the "Consciousness State" exhibition at the Rencontres d'Arles in France in 2023.
Subsequently, her work was showcased alongside photographers like Greg Girard and Ian Lambot, renowned for their documentation of the Kowloon Fortress, as part of the "Voices of The Walls," exhibition, which delved into the informal settlement that once housed an estimated 33,000 individuals within a single city block.
Tse's art is steeped in realism, brilliantly showcasing the city's intricacies along the way. Her images highlight minute details such as the peculiar manner in which paint peels, walls stain, and metal roofs corrode, elements frequently overlooked or overshadowed in dystopian cyberpunk depictions of the city.
The figures in her photographs also share an air of familiarity. They include robust bamboo-scaffolding laborers, a woman adorned with metal curlers at a quintessential Hong Kong barbershop, and three men sitting on old stools with wrinkled shirts.
A recurring theme in Tse's work is the coexistence of chaos and poverty alongside happiness and hope.
"Imaginary Friends" presents a young girl surrounded by trash bags turned into plush toys, drawing inspiration from her own childhood memories of waiting for her mother in the rain outside a freezer shop.
"I was living in temporary housing – a metal sheet, two-story dwelling, with two bunk beds, and less than 100 square feet," she recalled.
"I only realized I was poor when I grew up," she added. "I had a wonderful childhood, perhaps because of the lack of parental guidance. Because both of my parents went to work, I had the freedom to explore, especially after school."
An Unattainable Photograph
By experimenting with generative AI software, Tse has learned to view human artists as invaluable figures rather than potentially obsolete entities.
"I believe that if everyone tried to use AI, they'd realize that the role of the artist or designer cannot be replaced," she asserted. "While prompts can be simple, creating pieces with depth and meaning is significantly challenging."
To further demonstrate this point, Tse shares a series of failed AI-generated images. These pictures showcase a misguided blending of Asian faces, hair made of noodles, and comically-positioned figures – a far cry from the polished, surreal works that grace her portfolio.
To avoid the uncanny valley effect – the uneasy feeling that arises when facing something artificial yet human – Tse dedicates considerable time and effort to post-productionProcessing.
"I don't enjoy generating images with perfect human features. I prefer artworks that resemble everyday life instead," Tse clarified.
This challenge was particularly evident when Tse collaborated with Girard, aiming to recreate an unachieved photograph.
In the late 1980s, Girard, who had been documenting the Kowloon Fortress, spotted an elegant Cathay Pacific flight attendant emerge from a taxi and enter the City, pulling her luggage behind her. Her grace was a stark contrast with the mundane surroundings. Unfortunately, he lost sight of her in the labyrinth of alleys before he had the opportunity to capture the image.
"I didn't get it, and I thought (the image) was lost forever," he said.
Utilizing the photographer's consent, Tse inputted her photos and a plethora of prompts into Midjourney, allegedly refining over a thousand variations to infuse realism into the woman and the image.
Girard was intrigued by the collaboration, appreciating Tse's work as a stark contrast to his own. He was eager to see where her creativity would lead.
What ultimately engrossed him was Tse's straightforward request for approval. As he stated during a phone conversation, "So many individuals just plagiarize without asking, only to discover it later, and then spend time rectifying the situation. Tse, on the other hand, was transparent and straightforward."
The final result closely mirrored Girard's recollections.
"There was something slightly disconcerting yet satisfying about witnessing another individual create an image that encapsulated the scenes within my own mind," he commented.
Tse's art style in the "Voices of The Walls" exhibition showcases the coexistence of old and new in the Kowloon Fortress, with AI-generated images that capture the decaying buildings and the resilience of its past residents. The artistic blending of AI technology and personal experiences allows Tse to preserve the memories of the fortress and its people in a unique way.
The AI-generated image of the Cathay Pacific flight attendant, a long-lost photograph by Greg Girard, was a testament to the potential of AI in art. Tse's post-production processing and careful use of prompts resulted in an image that closely resembled Girard's recollections, bridging the gap between human art and AI-generated images.