Implementation of “Rethink Art Creation with Artificial Intelligence” (SoI-BE-543)
Author: Van Lil Lucia, Art and politics teacher School: SD Secundair
Abstract/Introduction
Students explored the realm of digital cultural heritage through the perspective of generative AI, utilizing the works of the celebrated painter Claude Monet as a basis. By grasping the techniques and principles underlying Monet’s art, students were directed to employ artificial intelligence tools to create fresh interpretations of his iconic works. This interdisciplinary method enabled students to interact with the concepts of digital cultural preservation, nurturing creativity, technological proficiency, and a deeper understanding of art history simultaneously.
The lesson was at school in a classroom with a group of 25 students of 17y.
Main text
1.Stages of implementation
Introduction
This scenario integrated Art History and ICT to offer students an interdisciplinary learning experience. They explored Claude Monet’s life and art, learning about his techniques and the Impressionist movement. Meanwhile, they discovered generative AI and its application in art, using it to create new interpretations of Monet’s works. Through this blend of subjects, students developed digital skills and appreciation for cultural heritage, preparing them for the digital age.
Teachers cooperated during the preparation, discovering art happened in an art class, the discovering and use of AI in ICT class. The presentation was during art class.
Discovering art and Monet
The teacher began by emphasizing the significance of art in education, using the video “Classroom Museum” to highlight its transversal role. Next, the teacher introduced Claude Monet and the Impressionist movement using the video “Claude Monet: Father of French Impressionist Painting | Mini Bio | Biography”. Students engaged in note-taking and group discussions about Monet’s style and techniques. Then, the teacher introduced the Europeana gallery featuring Monet’s artworks and guided students to explore paintings for their AI-generated artworks. Students’ notes were used to compare the original artwork with AI-generated images, fostering critical awareness of machine capabilities in reproducing human-created art. Discussions focused on color matrices, light exposure, brushwork techniques, as well as atmosphere and reflections in Monet’s work.
Discovering generative AI
The teacher introduced the concept of generative AI, exploring online resources about Generative AI and showcasing examples of AI-generated artworks. Students examined the website openart.ai, which provided information and examples of AI art, prompting reflection on the topic. They learned about AI tools like Bing Chat Image Creator, Crayon, and Dream Studio, with demonstrations on their effective usage. Resources from the “online resources material” section guided students on creating images with Bing Image Creator and Dream Studio. Each student or group was then assigned one of Monet’s paintings from the Europeana gallery to recreate using generative AI.
Generating Monet via AI
Students individually or in groups utilized Bing Chat Image Creator, Crayon, or Dream Studio to produce AI interpretations of their assigned Monet painting. They experimented with various parameters and settings to generate distinctive results, collaborating with peers and soliciting feedback. The teacher emphasized the importance of using diverse prompts and comparing the resulting outputs, highlighting that slight variations in prompts yield different outcomes. Mastery in prompting was underscored as crucial for achieving desirable output results.
An example prompt provided was: “Reproduce a landscape of Brussels using Claude Monet’s painting style.”
An example of a more detail a complex prompt is: Create an image that captures the essence of a Monet painting. The scene should be a serene garden with a lily pond, reflecting the sky above. The style should emulate Monet’s impressionistic brush strokes, with a focus on the interplay of light and color. The colors should be vibrant, with a palette dominated by greens, blues, and soft pinks. The composition should be balanced, with the pond acting as the central element. Use a high-resolution 16k setting for a detailed output.
Students saved their AI-generated art pieces for later presentation and reflection and to be used for the exhibitions for the school community.
Presentation and exhibition
Students created brief presentations discussing their AI-generated artwork, covering their creative decisions, the process, and any encountered challenges. Each student or pair then presented their work to the class, allowing time for questions and feedback from peers. Following this, students participated in a group discussion on the ethical implications of AI in art, the preservation of original works, and the potential impact of technology on future artistic creation. As outlined in the lesson outcomes, students prepared online or onsite exhibitions to showcase their work to the community. It was suggested that the school invite experts to join the exhibition and facilitate an open discussion with the community about the new challenges and opportunities presented by Generative AI.
Link to the learning scenario implemented: Rethink Art Creation with Artificial Intelligence (LS-PT-754) – Teaching With Europeana (eun.org)
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PDM 1.0: the featured image used to illustrate this article has been found on Europeana and has been provided by the Rijksmuseum.