I think many popular artists today are popular not only because of their style, but because of the unique ideas and themes they depict. Also, simply knowing that art came from a particular artist can make it appear better (similar to how atmosphere and presentation can improve the subjective taste of food).
Anecdotally, I'm sure GPT-4o can copy the styles of artists I like, but I like these artists because they have very complicated and abstract themes, which it can't extrapolate. On the other hand, there are pieces of "modern art" like this banana taped to a wall; it was presented in museums and sold for millions, but if I were to tape an orange to the wall, it wouldn't be recognized the same.
Even before AI, artists have stopped becoming famous for developing new styles, and almost any vague style created by an amateur artist could be replicated by a slightly more talented artist. Yet people continue to make art, usually for themselves and the few people who like whatever niche style.
I think many popular artists today are popular not only because of their style, but because of the unique ideas and themes they depict. Also, simply knowing that art came from a particular artist can make it appear better (similar to how atmosphere and presentation can improve the subjective taste of food).
Anecdotally, I'm sure GPT-4o can copy the styles of artists I like, but I like these artists because they have very complicated and abstract themes, which it can't extrapolate. On the other hand, there are pieces of "modern art" like this banana taped to a wall; it was presented in museums and sold for millions, but if I were to tape an orange to the wall, it wouldn't be recognized the same.
Even before AI, artists have stopped becoming famous for developing new styles, and almost any vague style created by an amateur artist could be replicated by a slightly more talented artist. Yet people continue to make art, usually for themselves and the few people who like whatever niche style.