Deniz Kozakiewicz
The AI Movement
Interview by Pocko
D3NI2 is the pseudonym of Barcelona-based AI creator, designer and artist Deniz Kozakiewicz, known for crafting an alternate world through AI-generated visuals from another dimension, creating a vivid mix of “cute meets dystopia”. With over 25 years of experience in design, arts and art direction, she is an interdisciplinary artist and art director with a proven track record in leading both independent and collaborative projects. She excels in leveraging AI to enhance visual communication. As an AI creator, her work has naturally evolved into the realm of AI photography and video.
Having exhibited her AI films across the worlds, parntered with brands such as Coca-Cola, Sony, Smirnoff and more, Deniz is at the forefront of the world of AI and art. Here, she considered the role of AI in her work, and what it might mean for the art and illustration realms.
When did you start working with AI?
I started working with AI exactly 120 weeks ago when I created my very first generative AI image using MidJourney V3. It was terrible. Frustrated, I gave up. But 10 months ago, I decided to give it another shot. Initially, I only wanted to generate reference images for my paintings, but I soon became completely immersed in the process. Now, this is what I do—and I’m even teaching it.
What programmes/softwares do typically you use?
Depending on the project, I use a mix of tools, i use a different tool for everything, all softwares do something better than the other. Also, at the moment i am a creative partner of Luma AI and Hailuo so i have the chance to reach their new properties on testing stage. I’m always exploring new technologies. I enjoy blending AI tools with traditional VFX, photography, and other analog techniques to create hybrid works.
What is your creative process working with AI? How does it differ from working with traditional art forms?
My creative process with AI is dynamic and multifaceted, almost like a high-speed ping-pong game between a variety of evolving programs. With over 25 years of experience as a designer and artist, I’ve learned to seamlessly integrate AI into my workflow, combining foundational art knowledge with cutting-edge tools.
Working with AI is a constant back-and-forth—ideating, generating, refining, remixing, and enhancing. Each step requires navigating multiple platforms, each with its own learning curve and rapid advancements. The process is far from linear; it’s iterative and demanding, requiring both technical precision and creative adaptability to shape raw outputs into cohesive works.
Unlike traditional art, where control is more deliberate, AI introduces an element of unpredictability, pushing me to embrace the unexpected and evolve my concepts in real time. It’s a challenging, ever-changing dialogue that opens doors to creative possibilities impossible to achieve through traditional methods alone.
“Unlike traditional art, where control is more deliberate, AI introduces an element of unpredictability, pushing me to embrace the unexpected and evolve my concepts in real time. It’s a challenging, ever-changing dialogue that opens doors to creative possibilities impossible to achieve through traditional methods alone.”
How do you see AI changing the art world, in relation to the world of art buying and advertising?
The rise of AI in art is akin to transformative periods in history, such as the Renaissance, the invention of cinema, and the emergence of movements like Dadaism, Surrealism, and Cubism. AI is driving a revolution in creativity, much like these earlier shifts did in their time. During the Renaissance, advancements like linear perspective and the printing press led to new ways of visualizing and sharing ideas. Similarly, AI allows artists to break free from traditional constraints, creating generative processes that extend human creativity.
Just as the invention of cinema transformed storytelling by introducing motion, AI offers dynamic, interactive art forms that go beyond the static frame. It opens up new dimensions for engagement, much like how cinema did for photography. AI introduces a new kind of authorship—where the artist is both curator and collaborator with the machine. Like the Dadaists, AI challenges ideas of originality, while, like the Surrealists, it gives form to the impossible. And like the Cubists, AI offers fresh perspectives on the world.
AI art isn’t just a tool; it’s a movement. It reflects the anxieties, possibilities, and innovations of our time, poised to define the aesthetic identity of the 21st century.
What are the pros and cons of working with Generative AI tools?
Generative AI tools offer significant time and cost savings for artists. By automating tasks like generating images, videos, and sound, AI dramatically reduces production time. Instead of spending weeks on manual design work, AI can generate hundreds of iterations quickly, allowing for faster decision-making and refinement. This also translates into budget savings, as AI can replace expensive manual labor and production costs. Additionally, by reducing the need for physical materials and travel, AI-driven projects often have a lower carbon footprint than traditional methods.
However, a major con is the widespread prejudice and misinformation surrounding AI. Many people, including clients, may not understand AI’s capabilities, leading to unrealistic expectations or reluctance to embrace it. Some dismiss AI-generated work as “not art,” while others believe the process is entirely automated and lacks human creativity. These misconceptions can create barriers to acceptance, making it harder to establish credibility. Additionally, there’s a common fear that AI will replace human artists, when in reality, those who adapt to AI tools will likely outpace those who don’t. This divide between early adopters and resisters may shape the future of creative industries.
“AI art isn’t just a tool; it’s a movement. It reflects the anxieties, possibilities, and innovations of our time, poised to define the aesthetic identity of the 21st century.”
What is something you want people to know about AI artists, and about the world of AI art?
AI tools are not machines that generate work without human input. The process is highly iterative, with artists defining concepts, creating detailed prompts, and refining results. The collaboration between human and machine is what brings genuine creativity and nuance to the final output. AI tools extend the possibilities of traditional techniques, enabling new forms of exploration and storytelling. It’s about augmenting human creativity, not replacing it. AI artists curate and refine outcomes. Working with AI is like taming a wild horse—sometimes the artist is the wild one, and sometimes the AI is. The goal is not to mimic existing art but to push boundaries and explore new aesthetics and ideas.
