Many people do not seem to realize that art is more than just a painting on a canvas. Art comes in many other forms: books, video games, poetry, and even your favorite show.
Recently, advancements in artificial intelligence have led to artists’ efforts being stolen to regurgitate soulless matter, making it harder for artists to make a living.
The internet has made it easier for people to judge animation as “childish” and “unserious”; Disney plays a large role in this misconception thanks to the popularity of its children’s films, according to “The Under-Appreciation for Animation,” an article by Tunmise Adebowale on Whispers of Oizys, a blog website run by Adebowale.
However, there are various popular animations that tackle heavy topics such as abuse, mental health, and the dangers of the world. Some examples are ‘Bojack Horseman’, ‘A Silent Voice’, and ‘Mary and Max’.
The stigma around art may somehow be even worse for artists who are paid to draw. While people at least acknowledge animation takes time, they do not apply the same logic to artists because the artpiece is often a still image.
You have probably heard of the term, “starving artist.” Their commission prices are often low since they undervalue their work, but the costs of their supplies and necessities also leave them with little profit afterward.
Not everyone takes into account the money spent on using the materials to create. The time, money, and effort spent makes the commission price extremely valuable to not just the customer, but the person who drew it.
This sense of entitlement to someone’s art is unfortunately common. It stems from society’s lack of respect for the arts despite its emotional and historical influence. The cuts in funding for art classes in schools have also contributed to the lack of appreciation for the effort and beauty art has, according to an article from The Suffolk Journal, Suffolk University’s school newspaper, written by Morgan Hume and Ryan Arel. They also argue that learning the arts teach students important skills such as creative thinking and problem-solving.
Art carries the soul and personal experience of the artist, but without understanding this concept, people have turned to AI generators to make “art” for them. For example, people have used ChatGPT, Fotor, OpenArt, and Ghibli AI to generate images in the stolen art style of Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio known for its detailed visuals, smooth animation, and popular movies such as ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ and ‘Spirited Away’.
Ultimately, it is unrealistic to believe that everyone in the world will realize the value of art. Nevertheless, it is very important that we clear the misconceptions about the impact art has on our lives and to be more understanding of artists who charge money for their work. Just like how Picasso’s “Guernica” opened our eyes to the cruelty of war, we must open our eyes to the effort artists put into their work and learn to appreciate artists instead of scorning them.
