AI, much like the surrealist artist Dalí, excels at unexpected juxtapositions and strange surprises. But AI has no heart, no soul, no longing for meaning, so of course when left on its own it wanders into a strange realm of chaos and meaninglessness. Faces melt into landscapes, hands sprout too many fingers, objects dissolve and reappear where they don’t belong.
Like Dalí’s early surrealist experiments, it can be fascinating — but also unsettling and not really uplifting or useful to our understanding of life on earth. And yet, I am discovering that in this dreamy surreal space something beautiful can happen when we offer AI a little guidance and provide it a human touch!
Suddenly AI’s hallucinations become raw materials — dream fragments waiting to be woven into meaningful stories and symbolic visions.
Its technical speed and associative leaps become tools in the hands of human imagination — an imagination grounded in lived experience, emotional truth, and spiritual longing. Together, I am discovering a new kind of surrealism — one that honors the dream world without abandoning the heart.
One that embraces the strange and the mysterious, but also asks:
What does this mean?
How does it connect to who we are?
It's like a co-creative light bridge between AI and myself — a space where the logic of machines and the wisdom of the soul meet, where surreal visions are infused with meaning, and where both the feminine and masculine aspects of creation can transcend dualities and find a balance.
I know it sounds pretty aspirational and overly hopeful. It surprises even me, as I was really negative about AI at first and still believe it needs to be used responsibly. For like any tool, AI can be used negatively or positively. It can enhance our lives or diminish them.
Staying grounded in my heart – and also being older and wiser -- I am discovering that AI can be a rocket booster for my creative spirit.
If you’re feeling inspired to explore this heart-centered surrealism for yourself, here’s a creative exercise to get you started:
Creative Exercise:
Explore Surrealism and Then Create Meaning Out of Chaos
Research Surrealism, look at both Male Surrealists and Female Surrealists. In the previous blog I talk about the hidden female surrealists - so don't forget about them! Then take two seemingly unrelated things in your life and combine them into something surreal, but deeply meaningful.
Like the surrealists, indulge in dream like imagery and create meaning out of the chaos!
Also, work together with your materials in a co-creative fashion. You can use traditional materials, digital, AI or all of them combined. If you use AI be sure to document your process and prompts and add in your own creativity. If you have access to a painting program or photo editor then please add to the image and make it yours. Always use your own creativity and imbue your images with your feelings, vision, ideas, and talent. This is what makes it more valuable to you and others.
I would love to see what you create!
Share your art on Instagram and tag me @erisklein
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Art & Article by Eris Klein Copyright © March 6, 2025 | www.erisklein.com