Failed Prompt’s “Full Circle” at Milano Fashion Week
At Milano Fashion Week, Hazem Talaat showcased his “Full Circle” project as an exposition of his journey up until that point with AI. In this series, we see a fashion model, an architectural exterior of a building, and a scene inside the building with the fashion model inhabiting it. This particular body of work “Full Circle” serves as an excellent example of the different dimensions of Hazem’s developing vision, as well as an exploration of how Midjourney AI finds its true value when combined with post-production techniques and a curative eye.
“The reason why the piece is called ‘Full Circle’ is because all of the elements come together in the end to form a larger whole. I enjoyed creating this piece with the idea in mind of all these inter-related elements revealing a deeper narrative aspect to the work.”
- Failed Prompt
‘Failed Fashion’
180 degree
In this period of Hazem’s work, we find many explorations into different garment types, color palettes, and textural choices for fabric. He is paying homage to some of his fashion inspirations while pushing their concepts further by abridging them with different genres or cultural influences. If one explores more of his work one will find he also explores streetwear and more urban fashion culture as well. I don’t think one would be far off in saying this figure looks both sweggy and stylish, a balance Hazem maintains with ease.
The painterly texture choice of his rendering here is intentional. “Painterly” here is characterized by the brushlike texture, and emphasis on color in Hazem’s work - reminding one that this is a painting or an artwork, and not a photographic attempt at realism. To Hazem, this small textural choice for his work was an eye-opening discovery as it creates a more open receptivity within the viewers mind. He found that AI generative art inevitably creates small imperfections which are easily picked up by the viewer, and oftentimes can disrupt the experience of viewing the artwork for what it is. Noticing a janky hand or impossible design causes an unsettling disturbance in the viewer's minds and takes them out of the moment of direct perception of the work, and instead fixate on small errors or incongruencies going “This isn’t right, this can’t be real”. With the permissive nature of this painterly style, one more easily accepts the minor distortions and can appreciate the piece at a deeper level at the surface, exploring its narrative and design depth.
‘Failed Architecture’
0/360 degree
A return to Talaat’s experimental architectural roots. Creating a juxtaposition of textural and structural elements, by merging fabrics with buildings - something he has an unusual obsession with (see his Cario series). This exploration warrants a knowing nod to some of his architectural inspirations such as Lebbeaux who popularized this sort of work in the world of architecture.
One can see the graphic design elements overlaid on the corners of the piece and overtop the figure. These post-productive elements create an additional layer of depth and information. A key signature to Hazem’s work. Providing a terrific contrast of color, as well as some inserts of his frequently used symbols and graphic shapes.
‘Failed Set’
90 degree
The final frame points the finger at the future directionality of Hazem’s work - that of narrative and scenes.
In much of his work, we find Hazem exploring countless variations of figures, and fashion, interacting with their surroundings - he’s often seeking to build an unconscious narrative in the relation between each of these elements. The scene seems penetrated with unspoken meaning from these solemn figures, but their meaning is up to interpretation by the viewer.
One can simultaneously admire the design elements and depth of inspiration for Hazem’s unique visions, while also engaging in a dialogue with the image - attempting to interpret a meaning out of it.