Anti-Human Element vs AI

Anti-Human Element

(This was a project / series I worked on over my final year in university. I got a distinction for it 🤗)

Since beginning this project, I’ve engaged in numerous insightful conversations with peers about AI, its future, and the work I’ve been creating. While the initial focus of this project was on challenging traditional notions of fashion photography, AI has naturally evolved into a central theme. Although AI wasn’t my primary subject, it has become an important part of both my project and the discussions surrounding it.

In my anti-human approach, removing the human subject shifts the focus away from the subject's identity, which is traditionally central in fashion imagery. This challenges the idea that fashion is linked to individual identity or self-expression. When the human figure is absent, the garment becomes the focal point, representing the commodification of fashion rather than its role as a means of personal expression.

By detaching fashion from the subject, I critique how consumerism often prioritises material goods over the human experience and individuality. This absence not only questions the wearer’s role but also forces the viewer to reconsider the value of the item itself, rather than the status or persona it is meant to represent.

Can anti-human imagery expose the dehumanising aspects of materialism in the fashion industry?

Yes, anti-human imagery can expose the dehumanising aspects of materialism within the fashion industry. When I remove the human element, I highlight how fashion is often commodified and treated as an object for consumption, rather than a form of self-expression or identity. The prioritisation of goods over human experience becomes evident when the wearer is no longer part of the narrative.

This visual disconnection forces viewers to confront how the fashion industry’s focus on consumption and material wealth often disregards the human aspect altogether. In this way, my imagery becomes a commentary on the dehumanisation that occurs when fashion is stripped of its connection to the individual, reducing it to a tool for status and consumption.

AI has become a powerful tool in the creative community, opening up new possibilities for artists, designers, photographers, and other creatives. It allows for automation and streamlines certain tasks, freeing up more time for experimenting and refining ideas. For example, AI can generate different versions of a design in a fraction of the time it would take manually, helping creatives explore concepts they might not have considered otherwise. It also makes the creative process faster, allowing for more iteration and innovation.

AI also brings up important questions about art and authorship. If an AI creates an image, who owns it? Can a machine be considered an artist? These are complex issues that challenge the traditional understanding of creativity and what it means to be an artist today. Some embrace these questions, using AI to blur the lines between human and machine-made art, while others are more cautious about the impact on originality and creative ownership.

However, there are ethical considerations that come with AI’s rise in the creative community. Issues around copyright, its a risk with AI-generated content, and the potential loss of human artistry are concerns that many creatives share. AI also carries the risk of perpetuating biases depending on the data it is trained on, which can affect fairness and representation in creative works.

Overall, AI is reshaping the creative community by enhancing creativity and offering new tools, but it also brings with it challenges that require careful consideration as it continues to evolve.

Conclusion

This project has been an eye-opening journey that taught me so much about the fashion industry and its complexities. From the start, I knew I wanted to focus on Fashion Media and Marketing, which naturally led me to the concept of conspicuous consumption. I chose GenZ as my target audience because I firmly believe they represent the next generation of consumers, driving trends and shaping the future of fashion.

Before this project, I had a limited understanding of the media and marketing strategies within the fashion industry. I discovered my passion for fashion photography just last year, and while I had a basic grasp of the field, I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to it. This project presented the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into the industry and expand my knowledge while solidifying my skills as a photographer and visual storyteller.

When I first encountered the term “Conspicuous Consumption,” it was entirely new to me—and to many of my peers. The concept immediately intrigued me. It’s an idea that I believe everyone should understand, as it has profoundly shaped our lives, particularly with the influence of social media. This realisation inspired me to dig deeper and explore how conspicuous consumption manifests in the digital age, especially among GenZ.

With my focus on fashion photography, the question naturally emerged: “How can fashion photography challenge the traditional notions of Conspicuous Consumption for GenZ in the age of social media?” This became the driving force of my project, combining my passion for photography with the desire to explore relevant and meaningful issues within the fashion world.