Valentino Garavani DeVain

In the first chapter of the project, presented on November 18th, we saw the bag blend seamlessly into a classical portrait in Paul Octavius’s work, submerge in an underwater city in Enter the Void, enter the world of circus imagery with Albert Planella, appear as a sculpture through the eyes of Thomas Albdorf, and become part of a collage reminiscent of Peter Blake by Tina Tona.

Now, in the second chapter, we are once again transported into fantastical worlds, each offering a fresh perspective on the DeVain bag. Some, like Animus Pax and Annie Collinge, seem to echo the explorations of the first chapter in their own distinctive ways, while others open new visual dimensions. Total Emotional Awareness captures movement through AI-generated visuals, blending pop culture references and kaleidoscopic geometries that immerse the viewer in a digital dreamscape. Meanwhile, Z Capture places the bag against a backdrop of colourful gummy candies, creating unexpected visual relationships that transform the familiar object into something entirely new.

The project not only shows us how many different facets an object can take depending on the mind behind it but also offers insight into the relationship between digital art and creativity. The widespread use of AI can be unsettling, partly because it’s still something we don’t fully understand, and this uncertainty can create discomfort. Yet projects like this, even when they face criticism, open up important conversations about how AI can be employed in creative processes. When approached thoughtfully and in moderation, they show that the narrative and creative choices of the individual remain essential. Even with AI, the final result depends entirely on how the artist guides it, giving a glimpse of hope that human creativity remains irreplaceable.