Art
Midjourney drops another AI art game changer
Another day, another jaw-dropping advance from an AI image generator. This time it’s the turn of Midjourney. Just days after adding its own version of DALL-E 2’s Outpainting concept, which allows images to be ‘uncropped’, it’s just added a new approach that allows an image to be expanded beyond its frame by panning in any direction.
The new feature allows users to intuitively expand AI images, generating more imagery simply by using four arrow buttons: up, down, left and right. Each button allows you to extend the image in one direction in what is one of the best AI art generators.
Loving this already! #midjourney #midjourney52 #pan #1970s #scifi #scifiart #Panorama pic.twitter.com/BoV4DKcaskJuly 3, 2023
In practice, the new tool is similar to Zoom Out, which Midjourney added last week. Like that tool, it generates new visuals beyond the original frame of the image, but this time it goes only in one direction rather than zooming out on the whole image and adds extra pixels for improved resolution. This makes it much more flexible, allowing users to create wide panoramic scenes. It also means Midjourney has partly closed the gap on a function it lacked compared to DALL-E 2.
Recent updates to Midjourney have made it arguably the most reliable AI image generator, at least when it comes to producing convincingly realistic images and human characters. But the lack of a versatile expansion feature like DALL-E 2’s Outpainting meant that some users would use Midjourney to generate initial images and then take them to DALL-E 2 to expand them. Now Midjourney can do pretty much everything, which for some people, will make up for the unintuitive nature of its Discord-based interface.
The new tool does have its downside. You can only use it on images created in Midjourney itself and you can only expand an image on one plain (that is either left and right or up and down). Many users on Twitter have been blown away by the feature. Some have reported it to be a bit glitchy so far, but that’s perhaps to be expected for a tool that’s just hours old.
Midjourney just dropped a new feature.You can now Pan right, left, up, or down. It’s like zoom out, but you only go in one direction.Here’s a quick example (full thread later) pic.twitter.com/Enq9SlqjS2July 3, 2023
High resolution is a game changer. Full disclosure, I extended it a little further in photoshop but the core was all created in Midjourney. pic.twitter.com/X1pzuPAxaOJuly 3, 2023
premier test avec 8 extensionsbeaucoup plus emballé que par le zoomout qui ne changeait pas la résolution de l’image, la on a un vrai outpainting ! pic.twitter.com/uiF1dHyAmoJuly 3, 2023
How does the new Midjourney pan feature work?
Earlier I shared a crude Midjourney Panning example, but this is a more interesting flow:Starting prompt > Pan down > Pan down > Custom Zoom & adjust –ar > Pan right > Pan left > Custom Zoom & adjust –ar > Pan up > Pan down > Make squareHere’s that visualized step-by-step:July 4, 2023
The Midjourney panel feature is pretty intuitive. After upscaling an image generated in Midjournye, you’ll four new buttons below it. You can use these to expand the image either horizontally or vertically (and keep clicking to keep going).
For more control, you can alter the prompt for each new generation by activating ‘Remix’ using the ‘/settings’ command (see our pick of the best AI art tutorials for more pointers on using Midjourney and other AI image generators).
Art
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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Art
Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Art
Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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