"I am a sick man. I am a spiteful man. An unattractive man. I think that my liver hurts. But actually, I don't know a damn thing about my illness"
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky, written in 1864, is a seminal work of existential literature, told as a monologue by a disillusioned and bitter narrator, often referred to as the Underground Man. He is a former civil servant living in isolation, grappling with his paradoxical thoughts, moral dilemmas and feelings of alienation. The novel explores themes of free will, the nature of human suffering and the conflict between reason and emotion. Its two parts—philosophical ramblings and personal anecdotes—highlight the narrator's self-destructive tendencies and critique societal norms, presenting a raw, introspective and haunting portrait of human consciousness.
Incipit. About the Collection.
This project explores where the evocative power of literature meets the creative possibilities of artificial intelligence. Each artwork draws inspiration from the opening lines of famous literary works, transforming their words into visual expressions. Crafted in the style of specific artists, these pieces merge the timeless essence of literary classics with the distinctive touch of celebrated artists. Two rules guide this process: only incipit words, with added artistic direction, are used and the works remain unedited, preserving the raw authenticity of the AI’s interpretation.
In this process, the roles of creator and curator merge, as the author selects both the literature and the styles and techniques applied, shaping a unified vision that blends literary inspiration with artistic interpretation.
