Ganbrood

  Artist: Bas Uterwijk / @ganbrood |In a time photography is losing its value as an indiputable proof of realism and truth, I am using neural networks to bridge the gap between photography and classic arts.  Combining the registrative qualities of the camera with the subjective i

Deathless Aphrodite, throned in flowers, Daughter of Zeus, O terrible enchantress, With this sorrow, with this anguish, break my spirit Lady, not longer! 

German astronomer, mathematician and philosopher Johannes Kepler wrote the book Somnium in 1608.  
In this novel, which is regarded as the first science fiction book in history, Kepler mixes knowledge with fantasy in a time when the sciences were young and naive, and the line between hard truth and creative imagination was indistinct more often than not.
The pseudo-figurative creations of Ganbrood blend abstract and figurative shapes and patterns by amalgamating classic and modern elements of culture, art and mythology through the use of Deep Learning, image synthesis software.
Working with a multitude of different algorithms trained on billions of images, Ganbrood scrutinizes the essence of creativity and is trying to discover if what has always been regarded as exclusively human, could be replicated by artificial intelligence.
Using the algorithm as his silicon muse, his works are walking a mystifying tightrope between abstraction and figurativity, bred from the Latent Spaces where his fantasies and memories coincide with the vast multi-dimensional possibilities of the neural networks.

Tsukuyomi

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms  | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 8000x4500pixels | original creation date:  December 19, 2021

at the Bottom of Patience

Cenotaphs #67

Zorya

Girl With The Pearl Earring (1665) by Johannes Vermeer, interpreted by neural networks trained on the human face, fading to original. | Assisted by artificial intelligence, I interrogate the correlation between art, realism and beauty by uploading classic and contemporary works to a generative adversarial network | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood) | medium: Animated PNG, 900x1200 pixels | original creation date: June 18, 2021 

Meisje met de Parel

𝔜𝔬𝔲 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞 𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔨 𝔠𝔞𝔳𝔢. 𝔄 𝔩𝔬𝔲𝔡 𝔰𝔫𝔬𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔰𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔰 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔩𝔢𝔣𝔱, 𝔱𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔯𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔰𝔢𝔢 𝔞𝔫 𝔢𝔢𝔯𝔶 𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔤𝔩𝔬𝔴...

𝔜𝔬𝔲 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔢𝔫𝔱...

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms  | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 8400x6281 pixels | original creation date:  October 10, 2021 

to Infinity....and Beyond

Hic et Nunc

 "tronie.01" 

Ganbrood 2022 / Stylegan2 Generated Adversarial Network (GAN) converted to American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

The "tronie" is a study of expression, type and physiognomy of an unknown or even non-existing person, popular among Dutch and Flemish painters during the Golden Age.

                                                                         🠗          🠗           🠗           🠗          🠗           🠗


                                                                               
                                           .               ..                                                           
                                        ......            ..::                                                          
                                        ....              .:--.                                                         
                                            ..            .:=-.                                                         
                                           ....            .-:.                                                         
                                         ....             ...:..                                                        
                                              ...:::::-------::::::-::::...                                             
                                         .:-==+*************++++++***+++==--::...                                       
                                       .-=+****###############****#****+++===-::..                                      
                                     .-=+****#######################****+++==---:.                                      
                                   .:=******#######%%%%%%%%%#########****++====--::.                                    
                                  :=*******#####%%%%%%%%%%%%%%########***+++===---::..                                  
                                .-+*******#####%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%#######***++=====---::..                                 
                               .-+*****#######%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%######***++=====---::..                                 
                               :=+*****#######%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%######***++====----::.                                  
                              .-=++***########%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%#####***++=====---::.                                  
                              :-=++***#######%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%#####***+++====--:..                                  
                             .:=+++***######%%%%%@@@@%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%####***+++++==-:..                                  
                             .-=++++======+**#%%%@@@@%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%###*=--::....:::.                                  
                             :==+=:.:::::.. ..:-=+*##%%%%%%%%%%%%##*+=-.    .::---:.                                    
                             :=+=:=+*#####*+=--::.::=*######%####*=:.  .:-+******++=-.                                  
                             -=+=+************++===-=+*########**+-::-=++**++++=====-:                                  
                             -=++++++=-:::--::::-=====+*##%%%#*+=--===-----:.. ...:::..                                 
                            .==++===:..   .       .-++++#%%@%#*=::==-==-: .         .....                               
                    .:.     :=+**++=:  .=#* .   --::+***#%%@%#+:.-++===#%:.   .-     .--..                              
                    :=--.   -=+****+=:  :-+=----===+*#*###%%#*=..-++++++++-:...    .:-=-:..                             
                    :=-++-..-=+**##**+---========+**###**#%%#+=..-=+****+===-::..:-=====-:.                             
                     :-+==-:-=+**####**++*****########***#%%#+-::-=+**###**+++++++++++==-:.                             
                      -***=:-=+***#########%%%%#%%%##*****###*=::-=+*############***++=--.        .                     
                      .**+=-:=++**######%%%%%%%%%%%##**+**#%#*+-::=+*############**++==-:.        .                     
                       -*+==--=++**###%%%%%%%%%%%%%#**++*#%%#*+-:.-+*##%%%%%####**++==--.        .                      
                        -++*--==+***##%%%%%%%%%%%%%#*++*##%%%#*=:.:=*#%%%%%%%###**++=--:     .:.                        
                        .=+*+--=+++**###%%%%%%%%%%##****#%@@%#*=-:::*#%%%%%%###**++=--:.     ::.                        
                         :+*+---=+++**####%%%%%%%###+=--+*##*+-..::.=#%%%%%###**+==--:.      ..                         
                          ++==--===++***######%%%%%#*-:::===-.  ...:+#%%%####**++=--:.                                  
                          .++-:--===++***#####%%%%%%##*+**+==--::-=+*#######**++=--:.                                   
                            .  :-====++****####%%%%#######**##+===++**###****++=--:.                                    
                           :.  .-=====++****##############*##*+++=+++******+++==-:.                                     
                           --   :-====+++***########***+++++==-----==++***++==--:..                                     
                                 -==+++++****##*+==---------:::...  .:-++++==-::.....                                   
                                 .-==+++++**##**=:.:-=++**+=+==--:..  .-+++=-::......                                   
                                  .-==+++++*******+===+*###*#*+=-::..::=+++=-:.......                                   
                                   .-==++++********++==-=====---------==+++=-:.....                                     
                                     :-=+++++**********+++=====++++========-:....                                       
                                      :-==++++*****######%%####****++====--:....                                        
                                      :---==+++***#####%%%%%%###***++===-::..                                           
                                      -===--==++***#####%%%%####***+==--:..                                             
                                      -=++===--==++***########***++=--:.                                                
                                      -++++++==---==++++******+++=-::..        ....                                     
                                      -++++++++===--------------::............::....                                    
                                      -++*****+++====----:::::::..........:::--::...                                    
                                     .-=++*****++++======----:::::::.:::::------::...                                   
                                   ..:-=++******+++++=======------:::::----===---:.... ...                              
                                ....::==+++*****++++++++++++======-------======--::.........  ..                        
                             ...:..::-==++++****+++++++++++++++++====--========--::.............::..   ..              

 "tronie.01" 

Ganbr...

Typed

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms. Original creation date:  January 26, 2021


Lorem Ipsum

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms. 
Original creation date: February 27 2022
100% of proceeds will go directly to a smart contract that will direct the funds to a list of NGOs operating in Ukraine, as suggested by The Giving Block (@TheGivingBlock). The contract has been set up as an initiative proposed by @Veqtor (@VersumOfficial) and @Ciphrd (@fx_hash_).


The source code for the contract is here:
https://github.com/ciphrd/public-contracts/blob/master/donations_ukraine.py

The list of NGOs is here:
https://twitter.com/TheGivingBlock/status/1496910223034155008

Last Waltz of the Mad Czar

Versum

In a time when the machines we built start to look more and more like us, my work is centered around the question of whether humans are modeling artificial intelligences after their own minds, or in fact, are we realizing our brains are much more like machines than we ever thought? By forcing neural networks to interpret artistic expressions and cultural icons and exploring their output's effect on viewers, I hope to get a closer understanding of the human consciousness. | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 6000x8000 pixels | original creation date: December 12, 2021

the Obstructionist

A series of neural-network interpreted photographic portraits

In a time when the machines we built start to look more and more like us, my work is centered around the question of whether humans are modeling artificial intelligences after their own minds, or in fact, are we realizing our brains are much more like machines than we ever thought? By forcing neural networks to interpret artistic expressions and cultural icons and exploring their output's effect on viewers, I hope to get a closer understanding of the human consciousness. | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 6000x8000 pixels | original creation date: September 19, 2021

the Collaborationist

the Antagonists

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 5120x7680 | original creation date: March 19, 2022

Karoshi Culture


Melting and merging worlds by guiding neural networks and curating the outcome

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms  | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 3000x4500pixels | original creation date:  March 16, 2022

Polyphonic Prose

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION



By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 3840x2160 | original creation date: September 22, 2021

100% of the primary market proceeds will go directly to the #TezQuakeAid wallet.
#TezQuakeAid is an initiative of the Tezos community to support those affected by the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. 
AHBAP is the Organization that has been selected to be the main recipient for the donations - a trusted non-governmental organisation (NGO) providing shelter, food, and medical supplies to those in need.

Medea

#TezQuakeAid is an initiative of the Tezos community to support those affected by the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

TezQuakeAid

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 3840x2160 pixels | original creation date: Spetember 19, 2021

Dragalicious

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 3840x2160 pixels | original creation date: September 19, 2021

NFTWC

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 3840x2160 | original creation date: June 4, 2022

Halcyon 

Vertical Crypto Art

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms  | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 8000x4500pixels | original creation date:  December 1, 2021

Daughter of Chaos

By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms


By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms  | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| medium: PNG, 8000x4500pixels | original creation date:  November 28, 2021

Zephyrus, Gentlest of Winds

Natura, artis magistra

German astronomer, mathematician and philosopher Johannes Kepler wrote the book Somnium in 1608.  
In this novel, which is regarded as the first science fiction book in history, Kepler mixes knowledge with fantasy in a time when the sciences were young and naive, and the line between hard truth and creative imagination was indistinct more often than not.  
The pseudo-figurative creations of Ganbrood blend abstract and figurative shapes and patterns by amalgamating classic and modern elements of culture, art, and mythology through the use of Deep Learning, image synthesis software.  
Working with a multitude of different algorithms trained on billions of images, Ganbrood scrutinizes the essence of creativity and is trying to discover if what has always been regarded as exclusively human, could be replicated by artificial intelligence.  
Using the algorithm as his silicon muse, his works are walking a mystifying tightrope between abstraction and figurativity, bred from the Latent Spaces where his fantasies and memories coincide with the vast multi-dimensional possibilities of the neural networks.  

Offered as a unique NFT in combination with a 70x40cm signed print. 

PNG 7680 x 4320 | creation date: October 11, 2022

Arweave: 
https://arweave.net/nj0Ov69ILXa25gBiC8HO6dWtiTmh1Mhp9eePJtX9sDc

Transcendental Equation

German astronomer, mathematician and philosopher Johannes Kepler wrote the book Somnium in 1608.  
In this novel, which is regarded as the first science fiction book in history, Kepler mixes knowledge with fantasy in a time when the sciences were young and naive, and the line between hard truth and creative imagination was indistinct more often than not.
The pseudo-figurative creations of Ganbrood blend abstract and figurative shapes and patterns by amalgamating classic and modern elements of culture, art and mythology through the use of Deep Learning, image synthesis software.
Working with a multitude of different algorithms trained on billions of images, Ganbrood scrutinizes the essence of creativity and is trying to discover if what has always been regarded as exclusively human, could be replicated by artificial intelligence.
Using the algorithm as his silicon muse, his works are walking a mystifying tightrope between abstraction and figurativity, bred from the Latent Spaces where h

SOMNIVM by Ganbrood

Cenotaphs #61

Art and mythology have long been used to express humanity's fears, from real-life predators to mythical creatures. Despite our modern distance from such dangers, our innate fears of monsters, domination, and apocalypse persist. The increased role of algorithms in daily life has raised concerns about the possibility of a General Artificial Intelligence singularity event bringing about the end of civilization. As a meta commentary on synthetic image generation through AI, 'Cenotaphs' plays with these themes by juxtaposing mythology and futurism in a provoking way in a series of 100 unique digital artworks.

Cenotaphs #53

Cenotaphs by Ganbrood

The exploration of neural networks (AI) for creating synthetic images has blurred the lines between traditional illustration and digital art forms, merging elements of fantasy with reality in unprecedented ways. This phenomenon has captivated Ganbrood, who has a rich background in various visual storytelling mediums. More than three decades ago, the introduction of digital editing software initiated a shift towards a post-truth era, questioning the authenticity of visual representations. Nowadays, the rapid advancement of Large Language Models and image synthesis technologies further challenges our perceptions of authenticity in digital creations.

Since 2019, Ganbrood has delved into deep learning algorithms to explore their potential in mimicking human creativity or acting as a digital muse. This journey seeks to understand a critical dilemma: Are humans crafting artificial intelligences to mirror our cognitive processes, or do these technologies suggest that our minds are more mechanistic than we once thought?

 to illuminate the darkness of ignorance and delusion #19/24

 to illuminate the darkness of ignorance and delusion #10/24

Appearing through Delusion


By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood) | medium: PNG, 3840x2160 pixels | original creation date: February 14, 2024 | minted for OBJKT4OBJKT @tezos

Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost

Celebrating the third anniversary of my first NFT ever on March 17, 2021 on Tezos, Hic et Nunc I This open edition reflects my journey through a variety of styles and outputs throughout these years|
By guiding neural networks and curating the outcome, I interrogate the boundaries between photography and classical and contemporary art forms | artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood) | medium: PNG, 3840x2560 pixels | original creation date: November 7, 2023

In the Realm of Courage

Ganbrood Open Editions

In the early days of my practice with emerging algorithms in 2019, my primary objective was to achieve a photographic level of quality in my outputs, as this represented the most challenging frontier in digital art at the time. This pursuit of the most difficult path has always defined my approach to art, contrasting sharply with my earlier struggles to find discipline in traditional studies and creative expression.

The exploration of synthetic image generation through deep-learning technology, often mistakenly referred to as artificial intelligence (AI), has provided me with a medium to reconcile these conflicting aspects of my nature. This technology has become the perfect tool for navigating my innate challenges with structured discipline and conventional methods, which have historically held back my artistic expression. Through AI, I have found an empowering way to overcome these limitations, achieving a harmonious blend of meticulous detail and creative spontaneity.

As generative AI evolves rapidly, my focus has shifted from pure realism to exploring the edges of reality—those ambiguous spaces that lie between the physical and the imaginary world. My work now aims to evoke surprise and wonder, inviting the viewer to complete the artistic journey. It is in these pseudo-figurative pieces where I hope my work transcends its medium and finds its true form within the viewer's mind.

As a professional photographer, I have always understood that true artistry goes beyond the mere capabilities of technology. It is essential that my work reflects my personal vision and character. While painters and sculptors naturally infuse their work with their essence, the challenge is greater when the method of production, such as a camera or an algorithm, plays a significant role in the final outcome. In these contexts, maintaining a distinct personal signature in one's work is crucial, ensuring that the art reflects the unique perspective of the artist rather than just the tool or technology used.

Since early AI models did not utilize Large Language Models, the practice now commonly known as "prompting" was unavailable when I began working with these tools. Generating outputs primarily involved adjusting weights and mapping an uploaded image into the GAN’s creative space, enabling the AI to recognize and create variations of that image. I’ve continued to use this approach, not only to integrate my photography into new creations and keeping tighter authority over the outputs, but also because depending solely on simple prompts feels like relinquishing too much control to the machine, which could make my work easily replicable by others.
My methodology also involves constantly reworking generated images using different tools and algorithms, which adds a rich and layered palpable history to each piece, and ensures that the results feel original and not produced by any single, recognizable method.

| artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| PNG, 2691x3840 pixels | original creation date: May 2, 2024

The Phantasmal Pantheon of Elysium's Simulacrum

Ganbrood employs the precision of 3D animation and the depth of photography, guided by the potential of AI, to explore and expand the boundaries between the seen and the unseen.

n the early days of my practice with emerging algorithms in 2019, my primary objective was to achieve a photographic level of quality in my outputs, as this represented the most challenging frontier in digital art at the time. This pursuit of the most difficult path has always defined my approach to art, contrasting sharply with my earlier struggles to find discipline in traditional studies and creative expression.

The exploration of synthetic image generation through deep-learning technology, often mistakenly referred to as artificial intelligence (AI), has provided me with a medium to reconcile these conflicting aspects of my nature. This technology has become the perfect tool for navigating my innate challenges with structured discipline and conventional methods, which have historically held back my artistic expression. Through AI, I have found an empowering way to overcome these limitations, achieving a harmonious blend of meticulous detail and creative spontaneity.

As generative AI evolves rapidly, my focus has shifted from pure realism to exploring the edges of reality—those ambiguous spaces that lie between the physical and the imaginary world. My work now aims to evoke surprise and wonder, inviting the viewer to complete the artistic journey. It is in these pseudo-figurative pieces where I hope my work transcends its medium and finds its true form within the viewer's mind.

As a professional photographer, I have always understood that true artistry goes beyond the mere capabilities of technology. It is essential that my work reflects my personal vision and character. While painters and sculptors naturally infuse their work with their essence, the challenge is greater when the method of production, such as a camera or an algorithm, plays a significant role in the final outcome. In these contexts, maintaining a distinct personal signature in one's work is crucial, ensuring that the art reflects the unique perspective of the artist rather than just the tool or technology used.

Since early AI models did not utilize Large Language Models, the practice now commonly known as "prompting" was unavailable when I began working with these tools. Generating outputs primarily involved adjusting weights and mapping an uploaded image into the GAN’s creative space, enabling the AI to recognize and create variations of that image. I’ve continued to use this approach, not only to integrate my photography into new creations and keeping tighter authority over the outputs, but also because depending solely on simple prompts feels like relinquishing too much control to the machine, which could make my work easily replicable by others.
My methodology also involves constantly reworking generated images using different tools and algorithms, which adds a rich and layered palpable history to each piece, and ensures that the results feel original and not produced by any single, recognizable method.
| artist: Bas Uterwijk (@ganbrood)| PNG, 2691x3840 pixels | original creation date: May 2, 2024

Obfuscated Ascent of Ilium’s Fabricated Mind

Ganbrood / Mens Simulata

*Daemonica Syntheicum* by Ganbrood explores humanity’s timeless fascination with heroism. From the ancient pantheons of gods to the larger-than-life superhumans of modern comics and cinema, we have consistently sought to define and elevate figures who embody our aspirations. 


In this series, Ganbrood delves into the essence of heroism, questioning whether the archetypal forms of our revered icons – whether mythical, cultural, or synthetic – are mere reflections of our own unspoken ambitions, shadows, and collective desires.


These surreal, otherworldly figures challenge the boundaries between the organic and the synthetic, light and dark – inviting us to reconsider the very fabric of heroism in the algorithmic age.


Aenigma Virtuosa

Illusio Fortis

Daemonica Syntheticum by Ganbrood

Following the Industrial Revolution, machines replaced physical labor, and the digital age took over cognitive tasks. Now, with the rise of AI, we stand on the brink of a new era where machines not only assist but actively shape our imagination. These systems are no longer mere tools—they are collaborators, capable of translating abstract dreams into vivid, visual creations. Yet this potential inspires both awe and fear, raising important questions about creativity, authorship, and the role of the artist.

Throughout history, humans have expressed their collective memory and emotions through myth, painting, sculpture, photography, and film. Generative AI extends this tradition, distilling centuries of cultural heritage into new, uncharted forms. It bridges past and future, remixing timeless themes through a modern, digital lens. Rather than replacing human creativity, it amplifies it, offering the ability to create what was once impossible by blending styles, symbols, and ideas across cultures and eras.

For Ganbrood, the artist’s role is essential in navigating this revolutionary medium. Generative AI redefines storytelling, inviting collaboration where the artist becomes a guide, shaping machine output with intention and vision. This partnership not only pushes creative boundaries but also addresses public concerns around originality and ethics, ensuring AI remains a tool for human expression rather than a substitute for it.

Generative AI is more than a tool; it’s a bridge between art and technology, memory and innovation. It reshapes the possibilities of artistic creation, helping us answer fundamental questions: What does it mean to create? And how can we dream in an age where machines are part of the creative process? By engaging with this medium, artists can shape not just art but the visual language of our collective future.

—

Archival pigment print on 350gsm Hahnemühle Museum Etching paper, signed on Verso. Unless otherwise noted, Neural Substances are 28" on the long side.

Each token represents the ownership over the unique original print, to be claimed by the token holder, with shipping at additional cost. Upon resale on the secondary market, the original shall be shipped to the new owner. The receiver of the work will cover shipping costs.

Ganbrood

Ganbrood

Featured (0)

All Works (0)