AI Artwork Hits 43 Million Views, Sparks Debate on X
“A Girl & a Black Cat” By Roger Haus Ignites Anti-AI and Fan Art Movement Among Traditional Artists
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Have you ever faced criticism for using AI into your artistic experiments? We’ve got something spicy to share today — a story of an artist who skyrocketed to fame in a few days, all thanks to AI.
Let’s dive in!
Viral AI Art Meets Resistance
On July 2, 2024, Barcelona-born illustrator Roger Haus, who has been honing his craft for 15 years and ventured into the NFT space in 2021, shared his latest artwork, A Girl & a Black Cat, on X (formerly Twitter). The artwork quickly went viral, amassing 43 million views and 12,000 reposts. However, what set this piece apart wasn’t just its beauty but the controversy it sparked. The artwork, as mesmerizing as it is, was created using AI.
About the Artwork
The piece features a girl with ginger hair, partially obscured by a black cat leaning towards her, its eye magically transforming into her left eye. The visible pupil of the girl resembles that of the feline, creating a surreal and stunning visual. The colors are simply beautiful, with the girl’s soft white face contrasting against the cat’s dark fur. There is an interesting plot, there is a great composition, there is a human feeling to it.
Going Viral With Fan Art
As the AI-generated artwork gained traction, traditional illustrators responded by creating their own versions, critiquing the use of AI in art as unacceptable and inhuman. They called for Roger Haus to “delete his post” and “pick up the pencils”, sparking a surge in fan art and a heated debate over AI’s role in the art world.
One widely circulated response boldly proclaimed “F*CK AI. SUPPORT REAL ART,” garnering half a million views in fan art circles. The accompanying process video showcased a meticulous digital drawing by human hands. However, controversy arose when it was discovered that this fan art had been traced over the original AI-generated image. This revelation triggered community backlash, prompting the creator to disable comments on X platform due to an influx of negative responses.
Artist Response
On July 3, 2024, Roger Haus responded with a tweet, describing his view of the technology as an “incredible” tool. This statement further fueled the discussion, with artists who have embraced AI rushing to defend Roger Haus. They praised the potential of AI to expand creative possibilities and disagreed that AI dehumanises art.
“AI is here to stay, & it is each person’s responsibility & decision how to live with it: with hate, fear, curiosity, or excitement. (…) I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to reinterpret the work of the girl and the black cat & shared in the comments & RTs. It has been a pleasant surprise to see so many quality works with different styles & approaches. In the end, I am left with the idea that an AI work has triggered a truly vibrant illustration movement. This makes me think that illustration will never die no matter how much AI advances, just as painting did not die when photography was born.” (Roger Haus)
“A Girl & a Black Cat” Controversy
This dispute has not only sparked a vibrant movement within the traditional art community but also ignited deep philosophical discussions about the future of art and technology that you and I are interested in. What happens next in this evolving narrative remains to be seen.
Want to join the discussion? Share your thoughts in the comments below and visit the artist’s X profile for more!
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