The Canvas of Tomorrow
Speculative film, Desktop Cinema
Year- 2023
The Canvas of Tomorrow is a speculative film, made in a desktop-cinema kind of style that was based on the stance that AI can only recreate what humans have already been doing for many generations. AI can simply reiterate the work of existing artists. It also focuses on the idea of creativity and what parameters this is really based on. Is it something a computer decides? Is it something that humans have already decided?
The film overall is a timeline of how AI started as a myth and is currently living in a generation that heavily relies on AI.
The film was inspired by the interactivity depicted in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.
Research
This project began with an exploration into generative AI and its growing presence in creative fields. I was particularly interested in how AI-generated art challenges traditional ideas of authorship, originality, and creativity. My research examined whether machines can truly be creative, or if they simply remix existing human-made content. Rather than forming a rigid stance, I aimed to create space for questioning, discussion, and multiple perspectives.
Early Investigations
My initial thoughts were wide-ranging and dispersed across numerous topics, including authorship, copyright, AI ethics, and the future of creativity. I was pulled in several different directions at once, which made it challenging to establish a distinct project focus. During this stage, a lot of reading was done, artists were cited, and potential connections were mapped out. Even though it was overwhelming, it gave me insight into what really spoke to me.
Narrowing ideas and Ideation
Through feedback and reflection, I began refining my interests to two core areas: AI-generated art and the perception of creativity. I realized I was most engaged when thinking about how humans define creativity and whether machines could ever share that capacity. The idea of a "timeline" became crucial to my project. Instead of just providing information, I wanted to investigate the development of AI in a way that felt experiential. I envisioned a narrative structure that let viewers create their own interpretations rather than presenting facts in chronological order. This made me consider narrative, decision-making, and how viewers interact with information on an emotional level.
Experimentation & Tools
I began experimenting with AI image-generation tools such as DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, and DeepDream to better understand how they functioned. Rather than treating these tools as final-output machines, I focused on observing their processes, limitations, and patterns. This hands-on exploration helped me recognize how much of AI’s “creativity” is guided by human input. It also revealed the gap between technical generation and emotional intention.
Prototyping
My initial idea involved creating an interactive timeline, possibly within a virtual or immersive environment. However, due to technical constraints, I shifted toward a film-essay format using desktop cinema. This allowed me to visually document real-time interactions with AI tools while still maintaining a narrative structure. The prototype focused on clarity, pacing, and how information could unfold organically.
Iteration & Feedback
Throughout the process, I created multiple drafts and screen-recorded experiments to test visual rhythm, content flow, and narrative clarity. Feedback from peers helped me understand where the story felt unclear or rushed. I adjusted pacing, added reflective prompts, and refined transitions between sections. This stage taught me the importance of audience perception in shaping meaning.
Final Outcome
The final piece took the form of a desktop-cinema style film that explored AI-generated art through a timeline-inspired narrative. It combined real-time experimentation, archival references, and reflective prompts. Rather than offering answers, the film invites viewers to question what creativity means in the age of machines. The outcome prioritised experience over explanation.