Discussion

The representation of the devil in the Tarot is usually linked to creativity, desire and carnality. Lust and temptation are but facets of an irascible driving force that lies in the human will. Free will is the opportunity that randomness gives us to interact with the cosmos in the way that our desire dictates.

Technique

Contrast superposition of more than 20 layers of convolutional neural network designs and recognized paintings in the infernal field of art. The convolution of most of the layers was done with Deep Dream, a smaller portion was treated with Style Transfer and the other layers were only processed by color shades. The main layer is a photo without prior treatment, so the original features of this can still be differentiated.

From the artist

The model in the picture is a friend of mine whom I have always admired for promoting the culture of temptation. I am referring to the ambit of reflecting sensuality through the mirror and attracting curious glances without involving direct interest. Just as I mentioned before, my intention with the piece is to reflect the mischief of carnality as a side effect of an amazingly complex mind. I would never consider myself as a model that inspires eroticism, but this does not make me alien to this one. The representation of desire is also an art and although I do not get very close to the conventional representation of lust, the relationship with the figure of the beast is only a mental bridge with the Tarot myth that I wanted to introduce.

Models and references

Models

  • Kevin Andrade

Pictures

  • The Fall of the damned - Peter Paul Rubens - 1620
  • The Defeat of Sennacherib - Peter Paul Rubens - 1612
  • The Death of Sardanapalus - Eugene Delacroix
  • signorcasaubon - Marten de Vos-Hell