Google Paints You Into Historical Masterpieces With Generative AI Selfie App
Image via Google
Google is painting the town red, or rather, every hue in the palette of the past with its latest innovation, Art Selfie 2. Nestled within the Arts and Culture app, it allows users to step back in time and reimagine themselves as characters from various historical epochs. An evolution of the original Art Selfie feature introduced in 2018, Art Selfie 2 marries the world of art and history with the growingly exciting magic of generative artificial intelligence in a way that's both engaging and educational.
The original Art Selfie used computer vision technology to match modern-day selfies with classic artworks that shared a resemblance. Building on this concept, Art Selfie 2 takes the experience several steps further by transforming user selfies into members of various periods.
Fancy seeing yourself as a Georgian noble, an Italian Renaissance enthusiast, a Shakespearean actor, a Roman gladiator, a medieval knight, or even an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh? The tool makes it possible, and you don’t even need a quill and paper to write yourself into these time-traveling personas.
Users can also transport themselves into iconic art scenes, such as Monet’s garden, or find themselves standing guard in Rembrandt’s The Night Watch.
Video screenshot via Google
The app even allows for stylistic transformations inspired by Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, Hokusai’s The Great Wave, and various works by Frida Kahlo, among others. With over 25 styles available—and more on the horizon—art lovers can now get in touch with their historical or artistic alter egos.
Video screenshot via Google
Vanity isn’t the core motivation of Art Selfie 2; it doubles as an educational tool. As users marvel at reimaginings of possible past lives, the app dishes out interesting facts about the arts, historical periods, and movements that inspired each style. For those hungry for more knowledge, Art Selfie 2 offers the option to delve deeper into stories, artifacts, and educational content curated from Google’s extensive network of cultural partners.
Image via Google
In blending technology with the rich tapestry of art history, the app offers a unique, fun way to engage with the past while highlighting the potential of generative AI in enriching our understanding of culture and history. Try it here.
[via PetaPixel and Business Insider, video and images via Google]
