The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

London’s 21st Century Woodsmen

London in Bits • 137 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Craftsmanship Sustainability
  1. London has a large number of trees that need maintenance to provide essential services for the city.
  2. Most wood from felled trees in London is chipped or burned as biomass, but there's a growing interest in using it more positively.
  3. Companies like Fallen and Felled are repurposing London's wood to create furniture, highlighting the benefits of using local timber.

TITAA 44: Reading Ancient Art with Birdmen

Things I Think Are Awesome • 137 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. The prehistoric art depicts a shaman in a trance performing magic, not just art for its own sake.
  2. AI art tools like Midjourney 5.2 and Zeroscope Text2Video are making significant improvements in video generation.
  3. The release of Infinigen, a procedural generator of 3D scenes, offers new possibilities for creating infinite photorealistic worlds.

Manus Lens

To Asra • 137 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Portraiture Surrealism
  1. Portraiture in photography involves capturing the essence of a being which speaks to the artist, subject, and audience.
  2. Photographers in the 19th and early 20th centuries experimented with portraiture styles influenced by war, economic crises, and artistic movements.
  3. Artists like Adolf de Meyer, Alfred Stieglitz, and Florence Henri utilized hands in portraiture to convey depth, emotion, and symbolism.
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TITAA #46: Golems, Tulpas, Egregores and AI

Things I Think Are Awesome • 137 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Comics Literature Science TV Virtual reality
  1. The post discusses folkloric entities like golems, tulpas, and egregores, which are created by humans and can have varied effects.
  2. Golems are creatures from Jewish folklore created from mud or clay with specific activation and deactivation methods.
  3. There are parallels between these entities and modern phenomena like AI behavior and strange chatbot interactions.

A Scared Firefighter up in the Bucket, part one

Sundman figures it out! • 137 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Writing Culture Technology Philosophy
  1. The author shares a personal story of being a scared firefighter in a bucket during a fire incident.
  2. The essay touches on the author's experience as a firefighter, encounters with AI technologies, and memories of philosophical discussions.
  3. The narrative combines elements of fear, existential pondering, and the author's personal reflections on life and mortality.

The hardest part (so far) of my plan | #49

The Pole • 59 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Drawing Animation Marketing Inspiration
  1. Trying too hard can hinder progress. Sometimes overthinking and overcomplicating things can lead to procrastination.
  2. Focusing on the essence of a task, rather than its intricacies, can be more beneficial. This means understanding the core purpose and working smartly towards it.
  3. Balancing fun and profit in pursuits is a challenge. Finding the sweet spot between enjoyment and profitability requires introspection and strategic planning.

#118 (Un)certainty

Design Lobster • 359 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Psychology Quote Gaming Creativity
  1. In a corporate setting, "certainty theatrics" can stifle creativity by creating a culture that demands absolute certainty in inherently uncertain situations
  2. Pachinko parlors use uncertainty to create excitement and engagement, showcasing the psychological effect of intermittent reinforcement
  3. Embracing experimentation and uncertainty is vital for personal growth and avoiding becoming static or repetitive in design and in life

Our Cat Grape

Into the Hedge • 79 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animals Nature Farming
  1. Grape, the cat, efficiently hunts rodents on the farm, helping control their population and protect other animals.
  2. Grape occasionally presents ceremonial kills to show gratitude or concern, showcasing her unique relationship with the farm.
  3. The presence of Grape and her hunting skills may either reduce the rodent population so effectively that they are hidden, or reveal an issue that would have been unnoticed.

Oaxaca

Cosmographia • 179 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Literature Photography
  1. The post is part of the Atlas’ Notes series on Cosmographia, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography related to a specific location.
  2. Access to the full content of the post is limited to paid subscribers of Cosmographia.
  3. The post offers a niche exploration of Oaxaca through a curated blend of creative works.

TITAA #48: Magic Mirrors and Radios

Things I Think Are Awesome • 117 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature TV Poetry Games VR
  1. Jean Cocteau's film Orpheus explores themes of inspiration and creativity through tech signals and mirror portals.
  2. Mirrors serve as symbols and characters in Cocteau's film, representing death and reflection.
  3. The post also includes recommendations for AI/art creativity, narrative research, and TV shows like Our Flag Means Death and The Terror.

And we're back...

On Looking • 279 implied HN points • 05 Nov 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative industry Visual Culture
  1. Julien Posture is exploring the relationship between language, perception, value, and styles in the creative industry through his PhD research.
  2. Aesthetic judgments in the creative industry have social, economic, and moral impacts on individuals, shaping identities and relationships.
  3. The research aims to understand how visual styles are associated with different values and how these evaluations impact the creative industry and its stakeholders.

4 Reviews: 4 Movies, 4 Days...

Sounds Good! • 78 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. The author watched four movies in four days and shared quick reviews for each.
  2. The horror film 'Night Swim' was fun with some scares but became a bit silly at the end.
  3. 'Poor Things' was described as the best movie seen in 2024, wild, funny, and featured great performances.
  4. 'Ferrari' was criticized for being slow and boring, despite some good performances.

Peggy's Process

Ladyparts • 239 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Crafting Inspiration Community Philosophy
  1. Peggy Orenstein decided to change her life by shearing a sheep, which led her to confront new challenges and thoroughly enjoy the process.
  2. The story highlights the importance of embracing new experiences and finding joy in the journey rather than focusing solely on the outcome.
  3. The concept of 'the sandwich generation' refers to individuals with both elderly parents and young children, navigating the complexities and responsibilities of caregiving.

Do Not Research Mapping Project

Do Not Research • 99 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Publication
  1. Do Not Research Mapping Project is a mysterious and immersive publication that delves into various topics such as memetic tactics and emergent political trends.
  2. The publication has organized events like gallery exhibitions, film screenings, and book launches over the past few years.
  3. To support future projects and contributor fees, a limited edition print featuring titles of works published between 2021 and 2023 is available for purchase until the end of the year.

Ideologies of Awe & AI Art at the MoMA

Cybernetic Forests • 119 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Data Visualization
  1. Refik Anadol's 'Unsupervised' art at the MoMA uses AI to visualize the MoMA's art archives in a unique way, offering a new perspective on data analytics and art
  2. Anadol's art piece juxtaposes the complexity and mystique of AI systems with the potential for human understanding and engagement, sparking discussions on the implications of AI in art and society
  3. Alternative models of AI art, like 'Anatomy of an AI System' and 'What Models Make Worlds', present critical perspectives that question the power dynamics and ethical implications of AI, contrasting with the awe-inspiring presentation of AI in Anadol's work

Ahab's Leg Dilemma: Part 1

All Visible Objects • 59 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Visual Arts Film History Analysis
  1. The specific leg that Captain Ahab is missing in Moby-Dick is not definitively stated, creating a longstanding mystery in literary analysis and artistic adaptations.
  2. Melville scholars and artists have debated whether Ahab had a left or right missing leg, with historical studies showing a tendency towards illustrating him with a left leg prosthesis.
  3. Artistic interpretations of Ahab's missing leg throughout different mediums, such as books, films, and illustrations, tend to split almost evenly between left and right legs, showing a balanced artistic representation despite the lack of explicit text in Melville's novel.

A moodboard for AI

On Looking • 119 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Representation Visual Arts Creative industry
  1. Illustrators have the power to shape how AI is visually represented, moving beyond typical futuristic robot imagery to include aspects like human labor and material resources.
  2. The use of moodboards can offer a tool of resistance within the creative industry, helping artists challenge existing representations of AI and create new paradigms.
  3. Exploring different visual representations of AI, such as using colors from lithium mines or personifying AI as global workers, can lead to more critical engagement with AI and its impact.

I Wrote Half a Book About Phantom Islands and Then Discovered I Was Scooped Seven Years Ago

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 712 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Cartography Maps Exploration Books
  1. Phantom islands are cartographic errors where non-existent islands were believed to exist due to various reasons.
  2. Phantom islands can result from clerical errors, illusions, incomplete exploration, deliberate fabrications, or myths.
  3. Discovering similarities with existing works can provide unique perspectives and motivate to add more uniqueness to personal projects.

Learning to see the world as a botanic garden

Eternal Sunshine of the Stochastic Mind • 119 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Nature Reflection Photography Awareness Existence
  1. Visiting a botanic garden can offer a profound sense of wonder and appreciation for nature's beauty.
  2. Being surrounded by diverse plant life helps in fostering a deep connection with the environment.
  3. Moments of awe and admiration from nature can bring clarity and perspective to everyday challenges, reminding us of the beauty in imperfection.

The Future As Imagined

Cybernetic Forests • 119 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Generative AI Sci-fi
  1. Generative AI is built on data from the past, causing a reflection on how past values shape future predictions and societal structures.
  2. Science fiction has been a powerful ideological tool throughout history, influencing belief systems and social arrangements.
  3. Algorithmic Hauntology explores the relationship between past, present, and future through artistic interventions, resisting the reinforcement of harmful ideologies by AI systems.

Alfred Muszynski: United Nations Spiritualism with Call of Duty Characteristics

Do Not Research • 119 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Symbolism Painting Digital Art
  1. The painting explores the intersection of video game warfare, religion, and international politics, revealing emerging spiritualities and myths from gaming.
  2. The artist incorporates traditional painting techniques, installations, and digital art to create multimedia collages symbolizing the blurred visual identity of our culturally saturated society.
  3. There is a connection highlighted between war games and international politics through shared symbols and rituals, suggesting an intertwined relationship between the two fields.

Interview with AMNH President Sean Decatur

Science Forever • 119 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Interview Museum Education Science Ethics
  1. Museums like the AMNH play a vital role in preserving collections that help us understand the biodiversity and evolutionary history of life on Earth.
  2. Ethical collecting practices are crucial in the field, with a focus on forming partnerships and collaborations to ensure clarity and responsibility in specimen collection.
  3. Informal science education at museums, such as the AMNH, provides a unique platform for inspiring curiosity, understanding the scientific process, and addressing important issues like climate change to the public.

Spam

The Leftovers • 119 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art
  1. Spam seems to be a prominent theme in the post, with references to literary works and a personal anecdote about the prevalence of spam in daily life
  2. The text reflects on the overwhelming presence of spam in modern times, suggesting that it permeates various aspects of life and can affect even mundane activities like sleep
  3. There is an invitation to subscribe to The Leftovers for more content, hinting at a deeper exploration of the theme of spam and possibly other societal issues

Of Caravaggio & Clouet

Euro Desk Paris • 79 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Paintings Artists History Analysis Gallery
  1. Caravaggio and Clouet used crayons and pastels for sketches that sometimes surpassed their paintings in popularity.
  2. Rouen, France, with historical paintings, like Caravaggio's, offers insights into power struggles and historical context.
  3. Caravaggio's painting 'Christ at the column' showcases a tormented, realistic portrayal, setting the tone for Baroque art.

Support Do Not Research in 2024

Do Not Research • 79 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibitions Publications Support Events
  1. Do Not Research is a platform that supports artists and writers engaging with online culture, hosting events like exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, and book launches
  2. The publication began in 2021 and has featured nearly 200 contributors, with notable events at the IMA in Brisbane and the New Museum in New York City
  3. In 2024, support is needed for Do Not Research to fund new contributors, editorial work, and group projects