What Are You Working On Now? Holly Lay
Holly Lay, Fast Food 2, AI generated image, 2023.
What are you working on now? is a Couch in the Desert series where we ask artists what they are making and thinking about in and outside the studio.
Holly Lay
In "Synthetic Realities" I extend an invitation to embark on a thought-provoking odyssey into the ever-evolving landscape where art and technology converge. This series celebrates the boundless creative possibilities that emerge at the intersection of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.
Drawing inspiration from my fascination with the interplay between technology and creativity, "Synthetic Realities" emerges as a collection of digital artworks. These pieces are the offspring of a unique collaboration between my artistic vision, training ai models and the algorithms of artificial intelligence, guided by the serendipity of random prompts.
Holly Lay, Liminal Spaces 3, AI generated image, 2023.
The heart of this series lies in the fusion of Al-generated images and video artworks. Within this amalgamation, viewers encounter a rich tapestry of themes and concepts, each born from the fertile ground of Al's unpredictability. "Barbie in a liminal space" and "gothic Star Trek" are but two examples of the unexpected narratives that emerge, redefining the familiar and inviting contemplation of the simulated and the authentic.
"Synthetic Realities" challenges conventional notions of artistic creation and invites viewers to question the role of technology in shaping the artistic process. It explores the profound influence of AI as a creative collaborator, amplifying human imagination and transcending the confines of traditional mediums. The resulting artworks serve as a testament to the limitless possibilities that emerge when human and machine coalesce in the pursuit of artistic expression.
Holly Lay, Weird Old Vegas 2, AI generated image, 2023.
Holly Lay, a 2019 graduate of UNLV’s MFA program, melds the nuances of cyber culture, femininity, craft, and kitsch into her art, bridging the virtual and tangible worlds. With a deep-rooted appreciation for classic cinema, she finds inspiration in the timeless narratives of the silver screen. Beyond her studio art practice, Holly dedicates her energy to fostering the creative pulse of Las Vegas through her initiative, Available Space Art Projects (ASAP), where experimentation and artistic expression converge.
See more of Holly’s work on her website and on Instagram.
Images courtesy of the artist.
Posted and published by Ellie Rush on November 1, 2023