As AI art tools continue redefining how we think about creativity, expression, and human interaction with technology, an increasing number of artists are putting their process on display, helping educate millions worldwide on how to best take advantage of the democratization of these new creative resources. 

MakersPlace is taking this trend one step further. The NFT marketplace will host the AI Art Hackathon at NFC Lisbon on June 7, 2023, according to information shared with nft now. Several artists will take part in the live creative process, including BLΛC, Illustrata, DVK the artist, and DigitalCoy, who will collaborate with Trevor Jones, Hackatao, Coldie, and Sasha Stiles to create 1/1 pieces that will be auctioned on MakersPlace June 15.

Pulling back the curtain on the artistic process

The hackathon follows the launch of MakersPlace’s AI Generative Art category and will see BLΛC, Illustrata, DVK the artist, and TheDigitalCoy create pieces by drawing inspiration from a Stiles poem, the theme of which will be revealed 24 hours before the event and then made available for purchase on MakersPlace and via a CC0 usage license. Creating their work in real-time, attendees will have the chance to witness artists using AI as a collaborative tool first-hand.

📣 Set your reminders for our Space about ‘AI Art Hackathon’ at @NFCsummit Lisbon w/ @illustrata_ai, @TheDigitalCoy, @sashastiles, @Coldie, @trevorjonesart, @bl_artcult, @DVKtheartist, @obscuradao, @artmatrco, and @johnkarphttps://t.co/4eCqkNzgX0

— MakersPlace ⚪️⚫️ (@makersplace) May 24, 2023

“We have seen significant developments in the field of AI-generated art, blossoming into culture-shifting leaps in capability and accessibility,” said Kayvan Ghaffari, MakersPlace Legal Counsel, in a press release shared with nft now.

“As presenters of the world’s first AI Art Hackathon, we aim to pull back the curtain and showcase the unique creativity, skill, and artistic vision behind this new form of art. We want to show that AI art is deeply human and can have a soul – that ‘AI art’ is, in fact, art.”

During the hackathon, renowned Web3 artists Jones and Hackatao will introduce an element of surprise to the artists by providing them with “mystery artifacts” in an attempt to force the artists to think on their feet. Those elements will be sold as limited edition NFTs during NFC Lisbon, with Jones and Hackatao listed as collaborators.

Dispelling misconceptions about AI art

Award-winning digital artist Coldie, who specializes in stereoscopic 3D art, will also play a role in the AI Art Hackathon. By combining the participating artists’ works into a single collage using Artmatr’s proprietary MATR robot, Coldie will transform the artists’ works into robotically-painted physical pieces. He will then blend the paintings into a singular physical artwork featuring the signatures of Coldie, Jones, and each of the participating artists. Finally, Coldie will remix the artists’ physical 1/1s to create digital stereoscopic ‘phygital’ works that will go on sale sometime in late summer.

“The opportunity to transform AI art with crypto art legends Trevor Jones and Hackatao is an honor,” said Coldie in the press release announcing the hackathon. “MakersPlace is cultivating a fresh culture of experimentation and collaboration that is exciting to be a part of.” 

The artists taking part in the live creation process are similarly excited to have a chance to show attendees what goes into a creative exercise involving AI art tools, especially if that process reveals to people that making art with AI goes far beyond typing words into an interface.

“I am very open to sharing my creative process because I want more people to create interesting art that tells a unique story,” TheDigitalCoy said while speaking with nft now. “With the help of AI, our imaginations become the driver of our success, not the tools or the processes. And the blockchain acts as proof of who did something first and who developed a certain style and approach to storytelling. Armed with these two things, I think artists can have no fear of sharing. In my case, I revel in being able to teach people because I am curious to see what they will create.”

Similarly, the artists in the hackathon hope to emphasize the inclusive nature of AI art tools, noting that their development and widespread dissemination are things to be lauded, not criticized.

“A common misunderstanding is that AI is a robot painting a picture all by itself,” Illustrata explained while speaking to nft now. “But it is more like an extension of the artist — a tool that helps bring our ideas to life. We’re there every step of the way, shaping the inputs, iterating on ideas, and curating the results. Plus, AI is a game-changer for inclusivity in art, making creative expression accessible to more people than ever before, including those with disabilities or chronic illnesses.”

Collectors who purchase the open and limited editions by Sasha Stiles or the NFTs by the four artists collaborating with Trevor Jones and Hackatao will gain access to a plethora of benefits and utilities. These include being entered into a raffle to win Artmatr robotically-painted physical works signed by one or more of the artists, a raffle to win a printed poster of a limited edition signed by one of the artists, a chance to win two tickets to Trevor Jones’s 2023 Castle Party, presale access and exclusive pricing for future drops from AI artists DeltaSauce, DVK the artist, CharlesAI, 0009, Dehiscence, and more.

For those interested in exploring the plethora of AI art tools that are enabling artists to work in new and interesting ways, check out our list of some of the most notable, and make sure you catch our interviews with AI art platform BrainDrops’ founder Justin Trimble and pioneering artist Claire Silver for more on the AI art movement.