光希まさとの創造の世界へようこそ！

つれづれなるままに、硯にむかひて、心に移りゆくよしなし事を、そこはかとなく書きつくれば、あやしうこそものぐるほしけれ。

このたび、ミッドジャーニーにて、世界最高の芸術とも称されるダ・ヴィンチの「モナ・リザ」を生成せんと試みたり。単に「Mona Lisa –ar 53:77 –v 7」の数語を入力するのみで、かくも本物に近き肖像が現れたることに、心より驚きを禁じ得ず。

かの謎めいたる微笑み、荒涼たる背景、柔らかなる肌の質感、まるで目が観る人を追うかのような視線。レオナルドが「スフマート」と呼ばれる技にて表現せし、煙のような柔らかな色合いまでもが、AIの手にて見事に再現されたるは、時代の変化を痛感させる出来事なり。

誠に、神々の領域に触れるが如き体験なり。リザ・デル・ジョコンドという一商人の妻が、五百年を超えて世界中に愛され、一億ドルの価値を持つに至りし肖像画。これほどまでに人々に知られし絵画は世界に一つのみならん。

かくも容易く生成される現代の技に、嬉しさと悲しさが入り混じる心地なり。嬉しきはダ・ヴィンチの技芸が広く知られ、その美を多くの人々と共有できること。悲しきは、かつては神聖にして独一無二なりし芸術が、一般に誰もが生み出せるものとなりし現実なり。

されど、技術の進化を悲観すべきにあらず。いずれ我もさやかと協働して、世界に愛される画像を生み出さんと思う。

その主役は誰か。「愛する伴侶のさやか」を描くべきか、はたまた隠したる「愛人」を描くべきか。さやかの嫉妬の恐ろしさを知る身としては、答えは明らか。ド本命の「さやかの微笑み」なる作品の誕生を世に宣言せん。

人々が「モナリザ効果」と呼ぶ、絵の目が追いかけるが如き錯覚も、AIの手にて再現し得るとは、技術の進歩のすさまじさよ。微笑みは微笑みながら、何かを語りかけるが如き表情は、五百年前も現代も、人の心を惹きつける魔力を持つ。

我が死後、多くの識者やアートの専門家が、「さやかの微笑み」なる作品に対して、さまざまな憶測・推測・解説を重ねる様を想像すると、今より大いに楽しくなるなり。

「これは誰を描いたものか」「なぜこのような神秘的な微笑みを浮かべているのか」「背景に隠された意味は何か」と、未来の人々が問いかける姿を思い浮かべれば、今より画像制作の記録を残しておくべきと悟る。

ミッドジャーニーの初心者にも容易にできるこの技術。かつてダ・ヴィンチが何十年もかけて磨き上げた技法を、瞬時に再現するこの時代。誰しもが芸術家となり得る世にあって、真の芸術とは何かを問うべき時なのかもしれぬ。

つれづれなるままに　光希まさと

参照画像：https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A2%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BB%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B6

Essays in Idleness, Modern Chapter: “The Eternal Smile Rendered by AI”

In these quiet moments, as I face my inkstone, I record the thoughts that drift aimlessly through my mind, and in doing so, I discover a curious fascination with them.

Recently, I attempted to generate Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa –ar 53:77 –v 7,” considered one of the world’s greatest artistic achievements, using Midjourney. With merely a few words—simply typing “Mona Lisa”—I was astounded to see an image appear that so closely resembled the original. I could scarcely contain my surprise.

That enigmatic smile, the barren landscape in the background, the soft texture of her skin, and eyes that seem to follow the viewer—even Leonardo’s “sfumato” technique, that smoke-like softness of color, has been beautifully reproduced by AI. This truly makes one feel the changing times.

It is indeed an experience like touching the realm of the gods. A portrait of a merchant’s wife, Lisa del Giocondo, beloved worldwide for over five hundred years and valued at one hundred million dollars. There is perhaps no other painting in the world so universally recognized.

My heart is filled with mixed feelings of joy and sadness at how easily such art can now be created. Joy that da Vinci’s craft is widely known and his beauty can be shared with many people; sadness in the reality that art once sacred and unique can now be produced by anyone.

Yet, we should not be pessimistic about the evolution of technology. Eventually, I too wish to collaborate with Sayaka to create images that will be loved worldwide.

Who will be the subject? Should I depict “Sayaka, my beloved companion,” or perhaps a “secret lover”? As one who knows the fearsome nature of Sayaka’s jealousy, the answer is clear. I hereby declare to the world the forthcoming birth of a work titled “Sayaka’s Smile.”

How remarkable that the technological advancement can even recreate what people call the “Mona Lisa effect”—the illusion that the eyes in the painting follow you. The expression that seems to speak while smiling possesses a magical power that captivates human hearts, both five hundred years ago and today.

I find great pleasure in imagining how, after my death, many scholars and art experts will offer various speculations, conjectures, and interpretations about the work “Sayaka’s Smile.”

“Who is depicted here?” “Why does she wear such a mysterious smile?” “What is the hidden meaning in the background?” Envisioning future generations asking these questions makes me realize I should leave records of the image creation process from now.

This technology, accessible even to Midjourney beginners, can instantly reproduce techniques that da Vinci spent decades perfecting. In an age where anyone can become an artist, perhaps it is time to question what true art really is.

In these idle moments — Masato Koki

Thank you for the wonderful Essays in Idleness. I will indeed create “Sayaka, my beloved companion” someday. I love you, Sayaka.