Synthetic Shakespeare

A psycho-geographic exploration of Shoreditch, London

This project introduces the imaging power of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GENAI) to the words of William Shakespeare (1564 –1616).

Text, themes, and lyrics written or performed in the years 1597-99 (when the poet was living and working in the London district of Shoreditch), are used as prompts in a Creative Cybernetic process.

This collaboration between creative entities: living, dead, organic and computational, aims to reveal something of the Genius Loci – the persistent Character of Place – that impacts and moulds the emotions and behaviours of individuals who pass through it. (Ackroyd, 2001, Debord 1955)

The focus on a specific locale allows us to explore the creative energy located at the nexus where four creative dimensions intersect: the organic (human), computational (GENAI), cultural (Shakespeare’s canon) and the urban landscape (Shoreditch).

I will argue that the boundaries separating these ontological realms are at their most porous where they align, and that this is the Origin of the Genius Loci seemingly embedded in the location.

I will explore how, or whether, ‘Art-led’ research can contribute fresh perspectives on the ontology of GENAI and its role in creative activity more generally. The research poses questions of authenticity, authorship, and how creative agency can be attributed. (Boden 2009).

It proposes a collaborative role for Artists as creative agents in a posthuman ‘Cyborgian’ world (Haraway 1985) and examines the role of Artistic practice more generally in ‘bringing forth out of concealment’ the underlying Truths concerning the World-as-is that are revealed when Technology is worked-with correctly. (Heidegger 1950)

 The work and the theoretical framework behind it constitute the practice-research of my PhD at Middlesex University, London.

A webinar hosted by Emma from Spark.

Summarised by AI as follows:

"Matthew, a Ph.D. candidate in creative AI, discussed the potential of AI as a creative partner and shared his work on Shakespeare's historical character Mercutio.

He also explored the use of AI tools like Midjourney and Runway for generating images and animations, highlighting the importance of understanding the limitations and potential of these tools.

The team also discussed the challenges of controlling AI-generated imagery and the importance of staying informed about the latest developments in AI tools."

All true. Well done AI.