About Elsa Carvalho
Elsa Carvalho is a Portuguese software engineer and artist with a PhD in computer science, earned in 2012. Combining her technical expertise with a passion for creativity, she began exploring visual art in 2021. Her work merges creative coding and artificial intelligence, using code-generated images as a base for AI to expand upon, resulting in art that explores the relationship between technology and organic forms.
Previously an avid writer of prose and poetry, Elsa has always sought ways to balance structured logic with artistic expression. Now, she is focused on creating immersive video art, further integrating technology and creativity to push the boundaries of contemporary visual art.
An interview with Elsa Carvalho led by Carlo Borloni
Can you share a bit about your journey as an artist and creative coder? What inspired you to combine technology with art?
My journey into art has been anything but traditional. I work as a software engineer, and my professional life is rooted in the technical world. But I've always been drawn to creativity, whether through writing prose and poetry or exploring new ways to express myself. In 2021, I decided to dive into visual art, and that's where everything clicked.
With my background, it felt only natural to explore creative coding as a way to merge my technical skills with my curiosity for artistic expression. But when I started experimenting with AI, its potential to bring something unexpected to the process had an undeniable pull on my creative side.
I've tried combining creative coding and AI in many ways, and right now, I use code to generate base visuals that I feed into AI. This lets me craft a unique and recognizable aesthetic, something that feels truly mine.
For me, all the journey has been about exploring the tools, enjoying the process, and growing as an artist along the way.
Nature and organic forms seem to be central to your work. Why do these themes resonate so strongly with you?
Organic forms resonate with me because they feel deeply connected to our human experience. They evoke emotions, memories, and a sense of timelessness that is both personal and universal. These forms have an ethereal quality that feels both grounded and limitless, which is something I find profoundly inspiring. I'm drawn to how organic shapes can convey both beauty and imperfection, capturing the essence of change and growth.
At the same time, I'm also drawn to a more surreal and absurd aesthetic, which I've explored in other projects. The absurd, the unexpected, and the transgressive are aspects that deeply appeal to me. I love how these elements can disrupt our expectations, offering new perspectives and challenging conventional ideas of beauty and meaning.
How has experimenting with various mediums influenced your artistic voice and vision?
When I started creating visual art, a seasoned artist told me I still had a long way to go before finding my own style. She was right. I've been exploring different directions, guided by my personal taste and aesthetics.
The explosion of AI tools, with new models and workflows constantly emerging, alongside creative coding, has been instrumental in helping me discover the kind of art I want to create. Each medium brings new possibilities and challenges, expanding my understanding of what's possible.
Though I'm still refining my artistic voice, I see this as an exciting process of evolution rather than a destination. Recently, I've started experimenting with video, which has been both challenging and rewarding. This new direction has added depth to my journey, pushing me further as an artist.
What role does audience feedback play in shaping your work? Do you find it helps refine your perspective?
Since the beginning, I've been sharing my work on Twitter (now X) as a way to get feedback from my audience. While the platform gives me exposure, the algorithm isn't always kind, and reaching a wide audience can be tough. Early on, I was eager to see reactions, but over time, I've learned to be more patient and just let things unfold at their own pace.
That said, direct feedback, especially through DMs, is important to me. I appreciate when people take the time to share their thoughts or ask questions. It helps me understand how others resonate with my work. However, while I value this feedback, I don't necessarily let it dictate the direction I take. Ultimately, I'm focused on my own process, and while I stay open to feedback, it's not the driving force behind my creative decisions.
Who or what are some of your biggest inspirations, either in art, coding, or life in general?
As I mentioned before, I don't have a formal artistic background, so my knowledge of artists comes more from general culture than academic study. That said, I've always been drawn to the surreal, and many of the artists in that realm are my favorites. Salvador Dalí, of course, stands out, and I feel lucky to have visited both his museum and house in Figueres, which was a truly inspiring experience.
But my inspiration doesn't come only from visual art. I also draw a lot from the books I read. I'm particularly captivated by South American authors like Gabriel García Márquez, Luis Sepúlveda, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Isabel Allende. Their ability to transport me into magical and mysterious worlds sparks a lot of creativity in my own work.
In web3, I have to mention Roope Rainisto, whose disruptive reinterpretation of photography through AI (post-photography) continues to inspire me. And of course, the incredible Niceaunties, whose endless creativity never fails to amaze me. These artists constantly push boundaries and fuel my own journey.
The concept of tran•sience revolves around impermanence and transformation. What inspired this theme for the collection?
Impermanence is one of the most fundamental truths of life, and it's endlessly fascinating. The constant transformation of states - growth, decay, renewal - feels like a natural cycle that resonates with me. I'm a restless person, always in search of something I can't quite define. I think the transformation and morphing movements in this project reflect that restlessness, that sense of unknowing I often feel in my own life.
For me, a project isn't always born with a clear or specific goal in mind. It's more of a process, one of creation, refinement, and adaptation. I experiment, make choices, and let one step lead to the next. Eventually, I end up with something that feels true to my thoughts, emotions, and the experiences I'm trying to express, even if I can't always articulate exactly what that is from the start.
How does the collaboration with Bruno Miranda's music contribute to the overall experience of tran•sience?
Bruno Miranda's music is at the heart of 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯•𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, bringing the visuals to life in ways I couldn't have achieved alone. For each act, he created a unique 110-second composition that captures the emotions and themes I wanted to convey. To fit the videos, we divided the music into five 22-second segments, one for each piece.
This choice let us craft a richer, more immersive soundscape for the entire act, rather than creating short, standalone sound designs. Sure, when watching a single video, the cuts might feel abrupt, but when you bring all five videos of an act together, the full musical narrative unfolds, creating something truly special.
Could you walk us through the creative process of combining AI tools like Emprop Open Studio and the Luma Dream Machine with your artistic vision?
The creation process began with Emprop Open Studio, where I used custom JavaScript code to generate randomized base images. These images introduced an element of structured unpredictability, which I refined further with AI prompts. This blend of code-driven randomness and creative direction allowed me to craft visuals aligned with my evolving artistic vision.
Next, I used the Luma Dream Machine to bring the static images to life. This tool enabled fluid transitions and dynamic motion, adding depth and energy to the visuals. Careful attention was given to selecting images that flowed seamlessly, ensuring each video was captivating and cohesive.
To tie everything together, original music by Bruno Miranda was integrated into the process. Each act combined five audiovisual pieces (the last, seven) into a single musical composition, creating a cohesive and immersive experience that reflects the project's transformative themes.
With 32 unique videos divided into six acts, how did you approach creating a cohesive narrative or aesthetic across the collection?
The process began with generating images using AI, starting from base images created through code. I used prompts centered on a consistent theme to establish a unified aesthetic. With AI offering endless possibilities, the real challenge was selecting images that aligned with the vision I developed as the project evolved, striking a balance between novelty and coherence.
Once I had a strong portfolio of images, I grouped them into batches of five, forming the foundation of each video. These visuals morphed seamlessly from one to the next before cycling back to the first, creating a sense of fluidity and unity. Refinement was key, as I often had to adapt or swap images to ensure they worked well together.
The final step, associating each act with a unique musical composition by Bruno Miranda, was crucial in maintaining cohesiveness. The music tied the visuals together, creating a unified tone and rhythm that elevated the narrative across all six acts.
What emotions or reflections do you hope tran•sience evokes in your audience?
I hope tran•sience inspires contemplation and a sense of connection. By reflecting on impermanence and transformation, I want viewers to feel a mix of nostalgia, wonder, and acceptance. Ultimately, I hope the work encourages people to find beauty in change and appreciate the fleeting moments that shape our lives.
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