Exploring New Dimensions of Art: Annalisa Parisii and Artificial Intelligence

At the fascinating intersection of artistic tradition and technological innovation, the figure of Annalisa Parisii emerges, a talented Italian visual artist born in 1961. From her early years, Parisii exhibited a remarkable natural predisposition for art, particularly painting. Her innate curiosity has driven her to explore various techniques and creative approaches, always with the aim of conveying a profound and meaningful message through her work.

Parisii’s artistry transcends mere visual representation; it is imbued with a philosophy that challenges the viewer to question reality and discover alternative worlds where magical realism is not a random whim, but an invitation to reflect on our existence. After her training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna and L’Aquila, she embarked on a personal research journey that led her to a poetic reevaluation of reality, transforming the creative space into a place of deep meditation in search of her archetype.

“Love and War”, Mystical series, 2024

Her career includes exhibitions in both the United States and Europe, and her talent was recognised in 2016 when she secured second place in the prestigious “Celeste Prize” in London. In her quest for new tools, Parisii ventured into the realm of artificial intelligence, utilising programmes such as Midjourney to explore generative art, where randomness becomes a key element in creating unexpected connections that, under her vision and manipulation, acquire meaning.

Influenced by visionaries such as René Magritte, Antonio Donghi, and Felice Casorati, Annalisa draws inspiration from the silence of metaphysics, blending traditional techniques with new technologies to breathe life into magical and timeless works.

In the following interview, we will delve deeper into her creative process and her perspective on the intersection of art and artificial intelligence.

“Il tempo perduto”, Psiche series, 2024.

Sebastián Magunacelaya:

Looking back at your beginnings, what inspired you to pursue a career in Fine Arts? How has your training at the Academy of Fine Arts influenced your artistic development?

Annalisa Parisii:

Choosing to embark on an artistic career felt like a wholly natural decision for me. From a young age, I harboured a deep-seated need to express myself through drawing, which subsequently led me to explore various forms of figurative art in my quest for self-discovery. Attending the Academy was an experience rich in both challenges and personal enrichment.

“The promise”, Mystical series, 2024.

S.M: What led you to explore generative art in your artistic career? What drew you to this form of artistic creation over other methodologies?

A.P: I possess an inherent curiosity and an openness to new developments. Initially, I began “playing” with different tools, and soon found myself delving into new creative frontiers. The opportunities for experimentation were endless and remarkably swift, something that would have been unattainable through traditional methods.

S.M: How do you perceive the impact of generative art on the current art landscape?

A.P: The dynamics of the art market are undoubtedly set for significant transformation. I believe that the acceptance of this innovative technology is akin to the experience

during the advent of photography in the 19th century. Initially, photography was met with skepticism and trepidation, as many feared it would threaten traditional art forms. Artists and critics of that era were concerned that photography might devalue pictorial art and supplant manual labour with machinery.

However, over time, photography not only gained recognition as a legitimate art form but also became an invaluable tool for painters. Artists began to employ photography to study light, composition, and detail, thereby enhancing their painting techniques.

Similarly, we are now witnessing a new revolution in the interplay between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. This collaboration, while it may initially provoke fears and resistance, holds the potential to enrich the artistic landscape in unexpected ways. Generative art offers novel creative possibilities and innovative tools that can empower artists to explore new expressive frontiers. Much like photography, I believe generative art can become an invaluable complement for artists, aiding them in transcending traditional limitations and uncovering new modes of artistic expression.

“The artifice”, Mystical series, 2024

S.M: For those unfamiliar with artificial intelligence, could you explain what your creative process is like when working with these tools and how you integrate them into your art?

A.P: My creative process invariably commences with an idea, accompanied by one or more styles I wish to explore. I initiate the process with a “prompt” (a verbal command) and continue with variations and integrations suggested by specific commands, such as zone variations, deletions, framing, zooming, and blending. Each command I execute yields different results, providing an infinite array of variations and surprises. This element of unpredictability is incredibly stimulating, leading me to new visions and approaches that I might not have otherwise considered.

This journey represents a creative odyssey deeply intertwined with my personal history. The images I seek, those returned by the software, and those I ultimately discard all reflect my vision of reality and my manner of representing it. Each generated work is a fusion of my artistic intuition and the capabilities offered by technology, creating a continuous dialogue between myself and the software.

Over time, I have started to integrate and manipulate the images using Photoshop, which allows my visions to become more complete and satisfying. This process has facilitated further refinement of my style and the exploration of new expressive frontiers. Each creation is a unique adventure, a reflection of my psyche that expands the boundaries of my creativity.

S.M: How do you balance elements of artistic tradition with contemporary techniques in your works? Could you provide specific examples of how you merge these two aspects?

A.P: Artistic tradition is indispensable to me; it is impossible to extricate oneself from it, as it represents an inexhaustible source of inspiration and an essential point of reference. Even the avant-garde, in their quest for innovation and their break from the past, had to confront artistic tradition in order to deconstruct and reconstruct it. One cannot disregard the history of art and the artists who have come before us, as they have liberated our gaze and our minds, expanding our expressive possibilities.

In this context, technique becomes secondary, serving merely as a tool for ideas and artistic expression. I endeavor to use digital tools as if they were a brush: when I employ Photoshop, I often find myself redefining a face, a hand, a shadow, or a chiaroscuro, as though I were painting on a canvas. Every detail is treated with the same attention and passion that I would devote to a traditional painting. When using a tool, I issue verbal commands that reference a painting technique or a specific style, striving to translate into digital language the same sensations and atmospheres I would seek to achieve with brushes and colours. This approach allows me to maintain a profound connection with artistic tradition while leveraging the potential offered by new technologies.

“The Secret Love”, Psiche Series, 2024.

S.M: Your work shows a clear influence of Surrealism and also presents elements of Modernist movements, though subtly. What inspires you, and how are these influences reflected in your art?

A.P: My art is profoundly influenced by Surrealism, particularly the poetics of René Magritte. However, I also draw inspiration from the metaphysical silence and suspended time inherent in Magical Realism. The works of artists such as Antonio Donghi and Felice Casorati significantly impact my creative output. Surrealism, with its exploration of the unconscious and dreams, enables me to craft images that challenge reality and invite viewers to reflect on what lies beneath the surface. I employ familiar elements within unexpected contexts to evoke a sense of wonder and mystery.

Magical Realism, with its emphasis on moments of stillness and introspection, provides me with another dimension of expression. The meticulous attention to detail and composition found in the works of Antonio Donghi and Felice Casorati inspires me to create scenes that appear suspended in time, where each element carries precise and thoughtful significance.

My art represents a continuous dialogue between Surrealism and Magical Realism, enriched by the influences of artists I deeply admire. Each work is an endeavour to capture the essence of these movements, crafting a world that is simultaneously familiar and disorienting, real and fantastical.

S.M: What strategies do you employ to introduce and position this new form of artistic creation within the traditional art market?

A.P: In this regard, I believe that the time is not yet ripe for the full integration of generative art into the traditional art market, where considerable skepticism still prevails. Many critics, gallery owners, and collectors are reluctant to embrace these new forms of art. This reluctance manifests as a resistance to acknowledging the value and potential of these works, making it difficult to identify appropriate venues for exhibition and sale. Personally, I have found social media to be a powerful and liberating tool, enabling me to share my work with a global audience, unfettered by the constraints of traditional channels. This autonomy empowers me to express my creativity authentically and to cultivate a community of enthusiasts and supporters who appreciate and champion my work. Through social media, I can also engage directly with my audience, receive immediate feedback, and foster an ongoing dialogue that enriches my artistic practice.

“Places of the soul – transmutation”, The others series, 2024.

S.M: What advice would you offer to artists interested in exploring generative art and using digital tools in their creative process?

A.P: Do not be afraid to experiment and enjoy the process; experimentation is fundamental to discovering new creative possibilities.

S.M: How do you envision the future of digital and generative art?

A.P: I believe that the future of digital and generative art will be characterized by continuous evolution, enhanced accessibility and inclusivity, as well as new forms of expression and interaction. Artists will have increasingly sophisticated tools at their disposal to explore their creativity and engage with audiences in novel and stimulating ways. Technology will continue to advance, providing advanced software and hardware that will enable artists to create increasingly complex and interactive works. Augmented reality and virtual reality will become commonplace tools, facilitating immersive artistic experiences that will engage audiences on entirely new levels.