Midjourney AI und die Macht des Bildes

Abstract: Der folgende Beitrag widmet sich dem Thema der Bilderstellung mittels AI und der damit verbundenen Machtpraktiken.

The image and its trace

The church has always been a powerful institution, and its images have played an important role in shaping public opinion. The church’s power comes from its ability to control the narrative around it, and to present itself as a force for good in the world. Its pictures show a benevolent institution that is interested in helping people, and its message is one of hope and love. The church’s power is also evident in its ability to withstand criticism and continue to operate despite scandals. In many ways, the church is like a fortress, standing strong against any attacks. It is this strength that has allowed the church to remain relevant for centuries, and to continue to exert influence over society.

There is a close relationship between power and pictures. Pictures can be used to convey messages of power and authority, or they can be used to undermine these concepts. In either case, pictures are a potent form of communication that can have a significant impact on the viewer. Pictures can be used to convey messages of power and authority in several ways. First, pictures can be used to depict powerful people or symbols in a positive light. For example, a picture of a king or queen on their throne may convey notions of strength and stability. Similarly, a picture of an eagle or lion may symbolize courage and might. By contrast, pictures can also be used to show weakness or vulnerability.

Walter Benjamin: Das Kunstwerk im Zeitalter seiner technischen Reproduzierbarkeit

Walter Benjamin’s “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” is a seminal essay that explores the implications of mechanical reproduction on art and culture. In it, Benjamin argues that the age of mechanical reproduction has ushered in a new era in which art is no longer tied to its traditional functions. Instead, art has become a commodity that can be mass-produced and consumed. This shift has led to a devaluation of art, as well as to a loss of its aura – the unique, original quality that makes it special.

Jacque Ranciére: Politics of Aesthetics

In his book The Politics of Aesthetics, Jacques Rancière explores the relationship between aesthetics and politics. He argues that aesthetics is not simply about beauty or art, but is instead a way of understanding and experiencing the world. Aesthetic experiences can be political, he claims, because they allow us to see the world in new ways and to challenge dominant power structures. Rancière begins by discussing the work of art as an aesthetic object. He argues that works of art are not simply pretty objects to look at; they also have the ability to provoke thought and emotion. Art can make us question our assumptions about the world, and it can help us to see things in new ways. For Rancière, this makes art a powerful political tool. He then goes on to discuss the idea of the aesthetic subject. This is someone who experiences the world in an aesthetic way; they are not simply passive observers, but instead are actively engaged in the world around them. Aesthetic subjects are able to see the beauty in everyday objects and moments, and they can also find meaning in art that others might not see. Rancière claims that we all have the potential to be aesthetic subjects, but that this ability is often suppressed by dominant power structures. In his final chapter, Rancière discusses the politics of aesthetics. He argues that aesthetics can be used as a tool for political change. Aesthetic experiences can help us to see the world differently, and to challenge the status quo. Art can be used to raise awareness of social injustices, and it can also be used to create new forms of resistance. Rancière’s book is a powerful exploration of the relationship between aesthetics and politics. He makes a compelling case for the role of art in political change, and he provides us with a new way of understanding the world around us.

Midjourney and the impact of society

Midjourney is an independent research lab that produces a proprietary artificial intelligence program that creates images from textual descriptions, similar to OpenAIs DALL-E and the open-source Stable Diffusion.

Walter Benjamin and Jacques Rancieres both have extensive backgrounds in art history and critical theory. As such, they would be well-equipped to judge the impact of Midjourney on the power of pictures. It is likely that they would find the game to be an innovative and powerful tool for visual analysis and criticism.