Jiapei Yao

The Algorithmic Flesh

Created with

Stable Diffusion, Vacuum Forming, Heat transfer

Time

December 2023

In current visual generative AI tools such as Stable Diffusion, the human bodies are often time falsely-depicted with extra fingers, legs, etc. How does AI “see” humans? How does AI “understand” the human bodies? How does the emergence of generative AI redefine our understandings of ourselves?

This project aims to answer these questions through experiments and close analyses with images generated by Stable Diffusion and a series of vacuum formed reliefs of some selected generations.

Research & Experiments

The primary founding was that, besides extra body parts, there is an apparent bias of associations of the universal “human” notation as white male, and associations of human bodies with the black bodies.

Production
Segment every piece of the AI-generated 3D model based on its UV
Segment every piece of the AI-generated 3D model based on its UV
Segment every piece of the AI-generated 3D model based on its UV
Segment each piece
Segment each piece
Segment each piece
3D print each piece
3D print each piece
3D print each piece
Material test
Material test
Material test
Vacuum forming test
Vacuum forming test
Vacuum forming test
Print + vacuum form
Print + vacuum form
Print + vacuum form
Cut out each piece
Cut out each piece
Cut out each piece
Attach each piece to supports
Attach each piece to supports
Attach each piece to supports
First version: 3D model (Fail)
First version: 3D model (Fail)
First version: 3D model (Fail)
Create depth map based on generate model
Create depth map based on generate model
Create depth map based on generate model
Displace based on depth map
Displace based on depth map
Displace based on depth map
Vacuum form
Vacuum form
Vacuum form
Heat transfer pattern on plastic
Heat transfer pattern on plastic
Heat transfer pattern on plastic
Finished heat transfer
Finished heat transfer
Finished heat transfer
3D print all relief models
3D print all relief models
3D print all relief models
Second Version: Relief
Second Version: Relief
Second Version: Relief
Final Work Shown in Fall 2023 IMA Show @ NYU Shanghai