Mohammad Qasim Iqbal: This project is a conceptual one, based around my interests in Baroque architecture, I used Midjourney to explore the Baroque façade with the theoretical knowledge I have of the architectural style.
Baroque greats like Bernini, Borromini and Guarini came to mind when trying multiple prompts but the one that gave me the best response from the AI was Borromini. I then considered the properties of the undulating façade, and the free-flowing properties the architects envisioned and sculpted into the baroque façade. Seeing this and realising the limitless possibilities of Midjourney I started to push the Baroque façade into new territory, with new materials that are an extension to its original character and qualities.
This is where the fabric of silk played its part, the use of the word silk allowed the AI to lend properties of the fabric to the stonework as well as becoming a beautiful complementary piece to each façade. Elements of the work remind me of the Bernini’s David sculpture where you forget the fact you are looking at a stone sculpture because of the immense detail and visual feel of the rope and hair. This façade study merged the stone and fabric of silk together to stitch a contemporary version of the Baroque façade, the merging creates a blurring of materials and encourages the viewer to look closely before they can distinguish between stone and silk. You are encouraged to really see the architecture, explore it and all its parts while also taking in the whole. The work pushes the ideal of the Architects ability to see and not just look.
