Ai-vis Presley: The generated image is one thing. and another. and another. and another.
Over the past few years, there's been a rise in AI generated or so-called ‘enhanced’ images of Elvis. Just a few short years back, these pictures were easily detectable from a mile off, and carried a smooth, blurry quality. They weren't what they are now. These new images, videos and audio are mass produced, eerily realistic and are shared and re-shared over and over again. Often presented under the guise of ‘entertainment’, ‘art’ or, worse, as fact. I’d argue that these images negatively contribute to the misinformation and idolisation of Elvis, his work, his actions and his appearance. They reinforce, maintain and even further the unrealistic ‘image’, Elvis himself struggled to live up to his whole working life. To me, they are reminiscent of edited magazine pictures which erase every flaw to convey a certain image of a star - to sell a product or ideology. On the other side of the same coin, they serve a purpose to the masses which equals those all-too familiar images feat...