Art

Wizards Of The Coast, ‘Apex Legends’ Under Fire For AI Art

Published

10 months ago

January 7, 2024

The use of AI art across various mediums continues to accelerate, and now it’s made its way into two new controversies involving Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Respawn’s Apex Legends.

Both have been accused of using AI art, or at least AI “human touched” art for various promotions. The larger case is probably what’s going on with Wizards of the Coast, as after they were accused of using AI art in a promotional piece, they doubled down, telling players they were “confused” by it being different than Magic card art, and that it was created by humans, not AI.

This is just…not true. Hundreds of people pointed out inconsistencies with the artwork which had clear signs of AI generation, leaving a few options on the table that WotC was either not telling the truth about the art, or whoever the artist was hadn’t told them the truth. Or, there’s a third option that combines AI art and human touch-ups that they’re trying to pass off on a technicality, which may be the most likely.

Not right

WotC

This accelerated quickly, as famed artist Dave Rapoza announced he would no longer work with Wizards of the Coast due to the situation, where it was amplified not just by the doubling down, but because Wizards had also just put out a strong anti-AI statement saying they would refrain from using AI generative tools to create final Magic projects. “Final” Magic projects.

Fans believe there are at least two other images from this specific promotional campaign using AI art, and what may be happening here is that a base image is generated with AI, and then a human artist goes through it touching it up. But they can’t fix everything, so many of the trademarks of AI art slip through the cracks. But for a game that prides itself on beautiful, memorable card art, it’s an especially pronounced problem, as you can see by Rapoza quitting on the spot. They have not posted any addendums to their last statement on January 4.

The other controversy with Apex Legends seems a little more straightforward, but fans are not happy about it all the same. Over there, fans also spotted trademarks of AI art in a promotion for the game, but this time what seems to have happened is that original animation was run through some sort of AI filter, stylizing it but leaving those AI artifacts around to be spotted.

Both of these situations may share a similar disconnect, that perhaps the marketing arm of these companies are doing these AI-based changes while the actual art and animation departments don’t have anything to do with it. But with no apologies so far, it’s not clear how much the companies care about responding.

We are seeing the use of AI art starting to skyrocket across multiple industries like this, as I’m sure the idea here is that if an image can be generated that is at least “good enough,” and the problems being pointed out are zooming in on specific details 98% of people wouldn’t notice, they don’t about the small number of people they’re offending if they’re saving time and money on artists.

But…artists make the original art for these card games and video games, and if you’re losing someone like Dave Rapoza for some one-off ad, that is not a trade you want to make. We’ll see if these company’s have any other response, or if WotC specifically revisits their proud declaration that this wasn’t AI art, when it clearly is.

Update: Wizards of the Coast has backtracked, saying that the image did in fact have AI elements, which may have been due to Adobe Photoshop’s new use of AI, but they are investigating how they work with artists and outside partners for content like this

Source link

Art

A misspelled memorial to the Brontë sisters gets its dots back at last

Published

3 weeks ago

September 26, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — With a few daubs of a paintbrush, the Brontë sisters have got their dots back.

More than eight decades after it was installed, a memorial to the three 19th-century sibling novelists in London’s Westminster Abbey was amended Thursday to restore the diaereses – the two dots over the e in their surname.

The dots — which indicate that the name is pronounced “brontay” rather than “bront” — were omitted when the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily and Anne was erected in the abbey’s Poets’ Corner in October 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II.

They were restored after Brontë historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, raised the issue with Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. The abbey asked its stonemason to tap in the dots and its conservator to paint them.

“There’s no paper record for anyone complaining about this or mentioning this, so I just wanted to put it right, really,” Wright said. “These three Yorkshire women deserve their place here, but they also deserve to have their name spelled correctly.”

It’s believed the writers’ Irish father Patrick changed the spelling of his surname from Brunty or Prunty when he went to university in England.

Raised on the wild Yorkshire moors, all three sisters died before they were 40, leaving enduring novels including Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre,” Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Anne’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”

Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, welcomed the restoration.

“As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial,” she said.

Source link

Art

Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork

Published

1 month ago

September 13, 2024

Harry Miller

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.

Alleged Fraud Scheme

Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.

Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.

Massive Seizure of Artworks

In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.

Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.

Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed

In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.

Court Proceedings Ongoing

The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.

Impact on the Local Art Community

The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.

For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.

As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.

While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.

Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.

As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.