What is Surrealism, and Why is It Important?
Melting clocks, Victorian businessmen with bird heads, and pipes that aren’t pipes… are these elements from some strange dream, or subjects from one of the most recognizable art movements? The answer is: both. Welcome to Surrealism, where dreams and reality coexist and transform our perceptions. What are the roots and meaning behind this wild movement, […]
How to Find What Inspires You
At the Kirby Foundation, inspiration is the name of the game. Paul Kirby has devoted himself to fostering inspiration and creativity in people throughout the world, all because he’s seen firsthand the power of the inspired mind. The process of being inspired has been found to boost creativity and productivity, as well as helping transcend […]
7 Basic Paintbrush Techniques
Whether the brush is held by a man or a machine, the brushstroke is the heart and soul of all painting. Each brushstroke is its own note in the symphony of a painted work, and so mastery of the brush is one of the most valuable skills a painter can hone. If you’re looking to […]
5 of the Most Influential AI from Fiction
Since the dawn of humanity, we’ve obsessed over ideas of consciousness, intelligence, and the spirit. If we could create an artificial entity that thinks and feels, what would the ramifications be? What would change about our own perceived place in the universe? As AI technology evolves more and more every day – from personal assistants […]
What is Modern Art, and Why is It Important?
“Modern art” is a term frequently used – and often incorrectly. What does the overarching umbrella of modernism in art encompass, and what does it mean? Read on to discover what modern art is, how modern art can inspire you, and how it paved the way for unprecedented artistic expression and experimentation. Table of Contents […]
Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Georges Méliès, the Father of Modern Cinema
Movie magic – it’s the term we use for computer-generated visuals, practical special effects, and the general feeling of awe inspired by the cinema. The dazzling sights of the silver screen enchant us, and when engaged by a great film, our amazement and delight are akin to that of a child witnessing a magic act. […]
5 Ways Computers Have Made Making Art Easier
At Harvard University in 1977, Paul Kirby dreamed of a fusion of disciplines wherein computer science would redefine how art is made. Nearly fifty years later, Paul’s creation, Dulcinea – a painting robot – works tirelessly producing thought-provoking paintings conceived by man and perfected by AI. In that time, computer science has advanced exponentially, and […]
Behind the AI; Beyond the Painting: Impressionist
How does a single color affect the colors around it? Perhaps the question seems odd, though it is a thought that has wracked the art world since the study of artistic matters began. It was a chief concern of the Impressionist movement, and also part of the inspiration behind Paul Kirby and Dulcinea’s painted work […]
4 Incredible Real-Life Robots
Futuristic robots aren’t just fiction anymore; they’re a reality. Autonomous machines are advancing every sector of our society, and some of the developments in modern robotics technology may surprise you. While we haven’t quite reached the level of full android assistants… we’re not too far off. Take a look at four incredible modern robots making […]
5 Ways AI Has Changed Your Daily Life
Ancient peoples told tales of artificial beings built to serve them. Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace questioned what a machine built on math could be capable of. Alan Turing questioned if a computer could “think.” Now, in the 21st Century, these fantastical ideas of the old world have become the real fabric upon which modern […]
