Bio

Anthony Samaniego is an American visual artist born, raised, and residing in Los Angeles, California.  After graduating from Cal State University of Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, he worked in the entertainment industry as an analyst for Warner Brothers.  Hereafter, Anthony’s path in life dramatically changed due to an accident, which required him to relearn how to walk. During his convalescence, he became interested in photography and pursued a self-taught regime to enhance his knowledge and understanding of photographic methods and post-production editing. His early photographic subjects included the Los Angeles skyline and nature captured in the hills near his home.  Enamoured by film photography and seeking to share his creativity, Anthony became a sought-after artist and cinemagraph pioneer working with the likes of Apple, Toyota and Coachella.  After reaching the acclaim of being a professional photographer, Anthony shifted his talents toward 3D art.  

Inspired by impressionism and surrealism, Anthony's work reimagines setting and scale, to explore the perception of ethereal beauty.  Using innovations and techniques learned from photography, he reinterprets similar subjects within 3D visualizations.  Anthony focuses on capturing areas and objects physically before deriving animations and distortions through point cloud simulations and animating camera movement to encapsulate real-world inanimate objects - thereby interpreting them into flowing memoirs of the digital space. 

His work has been exhibited internationally, including Art Basel (Miami, 2023), SCOPE Art Basel (Miami, 2022), Bangkok Art Biennale (2022), Times Square and Samsung Center (New York City 2022), Neo Shibuya (Tokyo, 2022), Miami LIGHT exhibition (Miami, 2021), Callo City Arts Festival (Madrid, Spain, 2020).

Synopsis

“Flux” depicts the state of flux interpreted through a wave. Unlike traditional representations that focus on the dramatic moment of impact, this piece invites us to witness the wave's power in a more intimate manner. Showcasing gradual changes as a metaphor for the constant flux and change that characterises both nature and human society.

Synopsis

"Half Full" serves as a poignant metaphor for my ongoing grapple with the complexities of AI art creation. Beyond the typical inquiries about artistic originality and stylistic distinctiveness, I contend with a more profound and elusive challenge: the fleeting nature of creative exhilaration.

My initial forays into AI art are often marked by an intense surge of enthusiasm. However, this initial fervor rarely endures. A profound dissonance arises between the fleeting joy I experience in the creative process and the deeper, more enduring satisfaction I associate with traditional artistic expression.  This experience evokes the ephemeral beauty of a pastel sunset – a breathtaking spectacle that quickly fades into twilight.

The creation of "Half Full" exemplifies this internal struggle. I initially found myself  captivated by the AI's ability to confine the dynamic energy of ocean waves within the confines of squares and rectangles. The resulting aesthetic was undeniably striking, and I initially perceived the work as a genuine artistic achievement.  However, this initial elation soon gave way to a sense of artistic detachment.  The work, despite its visual appeal, felt curiously devoid of a distinct voice, a unique artistic expression that resonated with my own sensibilities.

This experience has compelled me to explore novel approaches to imbuing AI generated art with greater depth and meaning. While the aesthetic qualities of the work undoubtedly contribute to its overall impact, I believe a more profound artistic expression can be achieved by exploring alternative modes of creative engagement. One such approach involves employing volume optical flow techniques to trace the dynamic movements within the AI-generated imagery. This data is then utilized to drive a simulated ocean environment, effectively allowing the artwork to, in a sense, "paint itself." By seamlessly integrating this dynamic simulation with the existing aesthetic framework, I aim to create a more immersive and expressive artistic experience.