Ten years ago I was studying audiovisual communication at university. During my degree they placed a lot of importance on how we searched for and contrasted our sources of information, but there was one question that was repeated during several exams in different subjects. Is hyper-information good or bad?
When studying communication, the first year you come to the conclusion that all media lie, whether for economic, social or theoretical interest. That it is practically impossible to put aside your point of view and give a critical and objective view of what is happening.
In the second year you already have some more tools with which you can confront these barriers that limit truthful, objective and public interest communication. The basics of journalism and communication. And again the same question: so here the answer was already geared towards the professionalism of the author or the interests he/she has.
And in the last few years you know about global communication strategies, mass movements, media agencies… and you again doubt the veracity of the information in a blatant way.
A clear example is wikipedia, being an open server where each user can modify the information that appears, when I began my studies it was not a reliable source, so you could not use wikipedia to justify any kind of information, but as it became established in society and the ease that exists today to contrast sources, wikipedia became the first search engine and from there, search in more specialised pages, with more technical information and more in depth.
AI and the issue of hyper-information
Now the challenge lies with AI, which at the moment are seen as a danger, but with time and a series of steps/instructions for its correct use it can be a very useful tool, so we are going to put it to the test in this article.
I have been interested in colour theory for a long time and even more, since I saw the film “At Eternity’s Gate”, with the obsession of artists and scholars with colours, so after some research I was still in doubt in the specific case of Van Gogh with the colour yellow, as a human I prefer the morbid version of a collateral effect of his lifestyle, but my more rational side tells me that it may have a scientific justification and even my more delusional side tells me that it is linked to his hope in humanity in its pursuit of happiness.
So after some time searching for information, with the intention now of not being influenced by my subconscious I am going to have an interview with an artificial intelligence to test and put into practice the new tool that is passing us by at an abysmal speed.
BLUE – Da Vinci
Q: hi chat Gpt, I am writing an article about colours, yellow and blue specifically, and wanted some information about the colour blue and Leonardo da Vinci.
As for Leonardo da Vinci, he is known for his innovative technique of sfumato, which involves mixing colours to create smooth, gradual transitions between light and shade in his paintings. In his work “La Gioconda” (also known as “The Mona Lisa”), for example, da Vinci used blue to create the illusion of depth and space in the landscape behind the figure.
In addition, Da Vinci also experimented with creating blue pigments from natural sources, such as lapis lazuli stone. He is also said to have explored the phenomenon of light and colour, which led to the creation of works with blue and blue-green hues.
In short, Leonardo da Vinci was a highly influential artist in the history of art and used the colour blue in innovative ways in his work, both in technique and in the exploration of new forms of pigment.
YELLOW – Van Gogh
Q: What can you tell me in relation to this, about the colour yellow and Van Gogh?
The colour yellow has also been an important pigment in the history of art and has been used by many artists in their work. One of the artists best known for his use of yellow is Vincent van Gogh.
Van Gogh was a great admirer of bright, saturated tones, and used yellow in many of his most famous paintings, such as “Sunflowers” and “Starry Night”. In these works, yellow is an important element in creating a vibrant and expressive atmosphere.
In addition, Van Gogh also experimented with colour theory, studying the effects that different colours have on visual perception and emotion. He believed that yellow was a colour that could convey happiness and joy, and he used it effectively in many of his works to convey a sense of optimism and vitality.
In short, Vincent van Gogh was a very influential artist in the history of art and used the colour yellow in innovative ways in his works to create vibrant and expressive atmospheres, as well as to convey positive emotions and optimism.
COMPLEMENTARY COLOURS: blue-yellow
Q: What use is usually given to yellow and blue at the same time in a painting or an image, as complementary colours?
Yellow and blue are complementary colours, meaning that they are on opposite sides of the colour wheel and, when combined, create a vibrant and balanced contrast. Because of this complementary relationship, the use of yellow and blue together can be very effective in creating an image or a painting.
For example, the combination of yellow and blue can be used to create a sense of depth and space in an image. As yellow can be used to highlight objects in the foreground, while blue can be used to create the illusion of distance and perspective in the background.
In addition, the combination of yellow and blue can also be used to convey specific emotions and moods. For example, the combination of bright yellow and dark blue can convey a sense of optimism and serenity, while the combination of soft yellow and bright blue can convey a sense of joy and energy.
In short, the combination of yellow and blue as complementary colours can be very effective in the creation of an image or a painting, as it can be used to create a sense of depth and space, as well as to convey specific emotions and moods.
OBSESSION OR DISTORTION OF REALITY?
Q: But Van Gogh had a certain obsession with the colour yellow or is it simply a distortion of reality as a consequence of his life style and circumstances?
It is true that Vincent van Gogh had a predilection for the colour yellow in his work, and this may have been influenced by his personal style and life circumstances.
Van Gogh experienced many emotional ups and downs throughout his life, and yellow is a colour that is often associated with happiness and joy. He believed that yellow could convey these positive emotions and therefore frequently used it in his works to create vibrant and optimistic atmospheres.
In addition, Van Gogh was also interested in colour theory and how colours can affect emotions and visual perception. He believed that yellow was a very powerful colour in terms of its ability to convey emotions and feelings, and therefore used it effectively in his work to convey a sense of optimism and vitality.
Vincent van Gogh’s obsession with the colour yellow may have been influenced by his personal style and life circumstances, as well as his interest in colour theory and its ability to convey specific emotions and feelings.
But while it is true that Vincent van Gogh struggled with mental health problems and, at certain times, used psychoactive substances such as absinthe, an alcoholic beverage high in thujone, a chemical that can have hallucinogenic and toxic effects.
Van Gogh’s addiction
It has been suggested that Van Gogh’s addiction to absinthe and other substances may have affected his visual perception and altered the way he saw the world, including the yellow colour he was so fond of using in his work. Some art historians suggest that the yellowish perception of reality in his works may have been influenced by thujone and other substances he may have consumed.
So…
It is important to note that there is no conclusive evidence that addiction to absinthe and other substances had a direct impact on Van Gogh’s use of the colour yellow. In fact, his interest in the colour yellow is something that can be traced back to his childhood, and the colour yellow was present in his work long before he began experimenting with psychoactive substances.
In short, although Van Gogh’s addiction to absinthe and other substances may have affected his visual perception and thus influenced his work, there is no conclusive evidence that his use of the colour yellow was directly affected by his addiction. Van Gogh’s predilection for yellow seems to have been an integral part of his personal style and artistic vision from an early age.
So, is hyper-information good or bad?
There are several justifications for using artificial intelligence (AI) to search for and contrast information to write an article. Here are some of them:
Saving time and effort: AI can process large amounts of data in a short time, which saves time and effort for the user. This allows the user to concentrate on analysing and synthesising information, rather than spending hours searching and collecting data.
Increased accuracy: AI can analyse large data sets quickly and accurately. This can help the user identify patterns and trends, as well as verify the accuracy of the data.
Increased objectivity: AI can be programmed to analyse and evaluate data objectively and neutrally, without being affected by personal bias or prejudice. This can help ensure the impartiality of the information collected and evaluated.
Broadening perspective: AI can help the user find information that may have gone unnoticed, which can broaden their understanding and perspective on a particular topic.
Constant updating: AI can automatically track online updates and keep the user informed about new trends or developments in a specific topic.
Critical thinking
In short, using AI to search and contrast information can help the user to be more efficient and accurate in their work, while allowing them to have a broader and more objective perspective on a particular topic.
If what we want is to work on critical thinking, as may be the case for students doing research work at school, high school or university… the use of an artificial intelligence in the search for information can help the user to evaluate the quality and reliability of the data, which is essential to make informed and accurate decisions. For example, an AI could automatically assess the credibility of a source or verify the accuracy of facts presented in an article.
In addition, AI can also help a user find information that they might not have previously considered, which can broaden their understanding and perspective on a particular topic. However, it is important to remember that AI can only be as effective as the data it is fed with, so it is always necessary to maintain critical thinking and question the information presented.
And talking about Art and AI….