Can you share more about the inspirations and personal experiences that led to the creation of "The Prometheus Expedition"? What drew you to explore the themes of haunting echoes and shadowy depths?
Abel Art: It had been a while since I first had the idea of creating a fictional documentary. With AI, it seemed possible and even ideal for this type of narration. My relationship with AI is much like that of an archivist rather than a traditional storyteller. I prefer to discover the footage as I go along with my research. I had a general idea of the theme and direction I wanted to pursue, and then I explored this world using prompts to conduct research and gather enough elements to delve into this parallel reality.
Your piece combines immersive storytelling with evocative imagery. Can you walk us through your creative process for "The Prometheus Expedition"? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
Abel Art: The main challenge with using AI currently is the lack of movement and control over the output. Over the course of a year, I gradually learned to use and adjust this technology to tell a story despite these constraints. "The Prometheus Expedition" reflects this research because it is the first piece where I did not try to force the AI to tell my story but instead accompanied it and used it as an archive. My role here was more about research and editing. What's interesting is leveraging the current weaknesses of AI to our advantage. AI is adept at creating fragmentary archival images, so I built the story around the idea that I am not in control of what exists, and my research will not reveal everything. Sometimes, I know no more than the viewer. What I do know is the idea I am trying to convey (the atmosphere, the mood, etc.) and where I want to go.
How did you integrate technology into your artwork? What specific tools or techniques were crucial in achieving the distinctive style of "The Prometheus Expedition"?
Abel Art: Despite the lack of control that I try to circumvent with fragmentary archival images, I still need to maintain full control over the interviews.
To achieve this, I use a video-to-video process with Runway Gen 1. The interviews are the backbone of the narration; they support the story and had to be written and mastered. The Vid2Vid process facilitates this.
The journey through haunting echoes and shadowy depths in your piece explores the blurring of reality and the unimaginable. How did you ensure that these themes were effectively communicated through your artwork?
Abel Art: It’s challenging to answer because it’s not traditional writing work. With AI and my method, everything happens simultaneously. The writing evolves, and there is a lot of room for discovery. Sound design, interviews, archival research—everything occurs concurrently. I am completely involved and immersed during the creation, just like the viewer. I am, in a way, a spectator of my own work; if a sequence feels off, I look for an alternative reality for that sequence. Creating "The Prometheus Expedition" involved 10 consecutive days of work, dedicating 15 hours per day to the project, totaling roughly 150 hours. In the end, I am utterly exhausted because I lived the story from the inside, blurring the lines between real and fictional.
How has your personal and cultural background influenced your work, and what impact do you hope "The Prometheus Expedition" will have on the understanding of exploration and the unknown in storytelling?
Abel Art: I’m not sure how my background has influenced my work, but I am fascinated by themes of reality and metaphysics—the real and the fake—and the idea that a story doesn’t have to be true or real to impact the viewer and evoke emotions. I believe "The Prometheus Expedition" has a strong impact because it’s the first piece where I am no longer frustrated by the lack of total control over the AI. It demonstrates that it is possible to tell a story by accepting that the AI-generated content represents echoes of another reality.
What has been the most rewarding feedback or reaction you’ve received from audiences experiencing "The Prometheus Expedition"?
Abel Art: I have received many comments saying they didn’t realize it was AI-generated, which is the most important thing for me. Someone even googled "The Prometheus Expedition" after watching it to learn more about the story because they believed it was true. That’s exactly the reaction I aimed for, and it made me extremely happy.
Can you share any details about your upcoming projects? Are you planning to explore similar themes or use new techniques in your future works?
Abel Art: I am currently working with several platforms to develop series that I write and direct. I will provide more information on my Twitter soon. My latest project, "Le Voyageur," tells the story of a man alone trying to build a rocket to leave Earth in an apocalyptic world. This project also employs the found footage and archival research method, offering a new perspective in this field.
Finally, what message or takeaway do you hope audiences will gain from "The Prometheus Expedition"? How do you want this piece to impact their perspective on exploration and the boundaries of reality?
Abel Art: I hope viewers understand that AI is not a shortcut but a fully-fledged creative tool. AI is fun and allows for a more liberated exploration of introspective creation. Beyond merely enabling creation, it offers a new way of creating that is deeply connected to the human aspect. AI facilitates a unique form of self-dialogue; it’s an intense and enriching experience.
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