Artificial Imagination: Ilya Bliznets
The days when I only fantasised
Ilya Bliznets
The days when I only fantasised
The artist uses artificial intelligence tools to create images in the presented work. Moments that complement the visual range with digital painting and collage techniques. The artist tries to convey the effect of something magical/surreal, somehow completing or changing our objective reality, bringing the work to the state of children's fantasies and dreams. The artist's works also reflect his participation in introspection and observation. The artist can explore his perception and understanding of reality through artificial intelligence and digital technologies. Including surreal and fantastical elements also indicates a desire to challenge traditional notions of truth and perception. Exploring topics related to identity, socialisation and social issues, the artist can reflect on his own experiences and points of view and invite viewers to reflect on their own.
“Ilya Bliznets (born 1997) is a Russian artist engaged in figurative painting and exploring its visual perspective forms. He uses traditional materials, graphic editors, and AI to create digital art. In his works, Bliznets starts from a certain image, giving it a subjective explanation, the material for which can serve as both self-reflection and observations of the artist.
Previously studying at the Department of Roads and Airfields in 2017, Bliznets interrupted his studies due to his interest in contemporary art and painting. From 2017 to 2018, he was a member of the “Cosi o cosa” art group formed by three artists who created collaborative paintings and earned two solo and multiple group exhibitions. He has been active in the NFT space since 2022.”
What was your path to doing what you’re doing now?
I started as a traditional artist, doing painting and contemporary art. A year ago, I minted my first NFT, mostly various pictures from the Internet or the works of old masters processed for digital painting. Then, a little later, different neural networks appeared to create images. Since then, I have been actively using them in my artistic practice, also combining them with digital painting.
Did you have an “Aha!” moment when you knew that working with AI was what you wanted to do?
Yes, it's fascinating because I mostly think in images. It helps me pass the time with some visual generation in my head.
How does AI influence your way of doing work now?
It makes me more versatile because I can work on several projects simultaneously faster.
As a creative person, do you ever have those moments where you feel like everything you create is just shit?
I think not; there was a rethinking, growing up, of me as an artist. Let's say there are works that I don't like today.
Is it necessary to you to be a part of a creative community of people?
I think, yes, there are a lot of advantages to this. I think everyone knows about them.
What made you pursue NFT art as a medium?
First, there was interest in how much my work would be acceptable in this space, whether there would be sales and all that. When I started doing NFT a year ago, I did not realise it would come to exhibitions. There turned out to be a whole community here.
What advice would you give to someone starting in AI art and NFT?
Yes, the easiest way is to search and try for artists to study art in general, not just NFT.
What would it be if you could go back and do one thing differently?
Ha, well, maybe I wouldn't create collections that, as it turned out, are not so important to me if it's about NFT. And so, in fact, I believe that everything always goes as it should. Most likely, I would leave everything as it is.