Progressive Imaginism describes the essence of creating AI art. You imagine something into existence. As you progress you want to keep progressing, so you become better at imagining. In our world, your imaginings will manifest in seconds. Conscious evolution will exponentiate, as your abilities as a creator, a visionary, an imagineer race headlong into the singularity.
Progressive Imaginism is objective art, to the extent that it serves to bring forward, and into the future, the best of knowledge and wisdom and art from the past. As Georges Gurdjieff once said: “Art is knowledge, not talent.” And while everyone might not have talent, everyone has knowledge. Everyone has a unique set of experiences from whence to apply toward your particular imaginings, as they manifest, and as you and they progress.
The structural dynamics of Robert Fritz can be brought to bear when manifesting one’s vision as art. In short, what Fritz discovered is that processes tend to work themselves out, in most creative ways, seeking that path of least resistance to your vision. And with AI, that path can be short and sweet, and not a disappointing drudge.
In the classic Louis Malle film, “My Dinner with Andre”, famed director of the stage, Andre Gregory, said the reason his visions are not dark and dystopian is that people see dark dystopias on the news, and in movies and on TV. Why let people think that is the only path forward? So for my part, I will be creating utopian, ecotopian, visions and worlds.
Maximalism is welcome. Huge foolish projects, like that of Noah, to paraphrase Rumi. Today, on AI, it costs no more to add flying buttresses to your cathedral. It is but a prompt away. So art can once again become magnificent and wondrous.
Progressive Imaginism delights AND informs. By breathing new life into all we know about our past, we provide future generations with a clearer picture of all that is good that has gone before, while also sharing and exploring more beautiful paths forward.
This is not a new idea. In the late 1960s and early 1970s some of the best bands were creating what came to be called “Progressive Rock”, “Art Rock” and a few other names, as well as insults, but with the vision being that of creating, painting, a more positive view and sound of and for the world. It was a time of high vibrations, love, and imagination. Imagine!
And who more than John Lennon knew the power of Imagining?
This is an inspiring essay. I've begun to create. Thanks for your help!