Artificial Imagination: Enri Be
Enri Be
C夢 — f#07
CONCRETE DREAMS®
— The Perfection of Imperfection 不完全な完全
A series of AI-Assisted photographs aim to bring the viewer to explore the delicate balance between dreams and reality while reflecting on perfection's elusive nature.
The collection is rooted in the essential visual qualities of light, darkness, and concrete, which are brought together to reflect the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi (侘寂) — a traditional Japanese aesthetic grounded in accepting and celebrating imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity.
The visual choices embrace minimalism, emphasising a natural aesthetic. By focusing on the fundamental elements, C夢 aims to create a sense of balance and tranquillity, to provide viewers with an escape from the fast-paced world and transport them into a space of timelessness while encouraging contemplation and reflection.
“Born and raised in Italy, I am a multidisciplinary creative with more than a decade of experience in Visual Communication Design. My skillset extends from traditional print to digital, including UI & UX design. Over the years, I’ve been in diverse professional settings - from working as a freelancer for a small design studio in Amsterdam to consulting for one of the largest corporations in India.
Despite my wide-ranging experiences, I often found that my involvement in commercial projects would leave me unfulfilled and drain my passion. This brought me to delve into the boundless possibilities of Artificial Intelligence and embark on a new adventure in the world of tokenised creative expressions.
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What was your path to doing what you’re doing now?
Art and technology have been integral parts of my world from as early as I can remember. My grandmother, a Renaissance woman, dabbled in various artistic pursuits - painting, poetry, and violin playing. On the other side, my Electrical Engineer father introduced me to the world of technology.
I recall being the first in my town to have a home computer, a tool that fascinated me and allowed me to bridge these two worlds I'd grown up immersed in. My artistic journey started with drawing and painting under my grandmother's tutelage, while my technological skills took off alongside my father, culminating in my early exposure to the internet.
Around the time I was in middle school, my fascination with computer graphics began to surge. I started to learn Photoshop and became active in online graphic design forums, sharing my work with others.
I wasn't always sure what path to take as a young person. For a time, I considered following in my father's footsteps in technology. This led me to pursue tech studies in high school. But, as fate would have it, I discovered a passion for design. This newfound interest guided me to the European Institute of Design.
From there, my career took me through various experiences, from working as a freelancer in a small design studio in Amsterdam to consulting for one of the largest corporations in India. However, over time I found that commercial projects, while rewarding in their own right, weren't fully satisfying my creative urges.
This realisation led me to explore the expansive field of Artificial Intelligence and the world of tokenised creative expressions.
Do you collaborate with other artists?
Although I've been closely observing the NFT space for quite some time, I've only recently begun to mint my works, and I haven't had the opportunity to collaborate with other artists yet. But I've had the pleasure of connecting with many talented individuals whose work I admire, and I would be more than happy to collaborate with some of them in the future.
As a creative person, do you ever have those moments where you feel like everything you create is just shit?
Sure, there are certainly days when I question my work. I think it's a feeling most creatives can relate to. I tend to be my worst critic, often overanalysing and overthinking. Despite this, following our gut feelings is essential, even when the creative spark isn't there. On these occasions, it's crucial to remember that stepping away for a while is okay. A change of scene, focusing on a different task or just taking a breather can often help regain perspective. Sometimes, I might delve into entirely different topics or projects that ignite my curiosity. Other times, I might step away from all technology and go for a hike. When I return to work after these breaks, I often find fresh inspiration, and what looked like shit before often transforms into something that may not be complete but holds great potential.
Is it necessary to you to be a part of a creative community of people?
It helps. It provides a supportive and inspiring environment where ideas and collaborations can flourish. Interacting with fellow creatives allows for valuable exchanges of feedback, insights, and different perspectives. It helps me stay motivated, learn from other's experiences, and push the boundaries of my creativity.