Sarp Kerem Yavuz, Kahveciler (The Kahveci couple), 2023,

Written by Max Weiner

Copy Edited by Meliz Ozdemir

Modern debates surrounding AI art are always interesting. Some argue it’s a form of corner-cutting, disrupting the traditional process. Artists using AI say that art itself is the technology, harnessing new-world capabilities to their creative advantage. Many can go back and forth and bicker about it, but seeing Sarp Kerem Yavuz’s stunning AI Polaroids will swing your persuasion toward the side of technology. By simply pressing a button, Yavuz transports us to the world of the now-deceased Ottoman Empire, specifically its vibrant gay community. Its importance is fervent; homosexuality was forbidden in the Ottoman Empire. But what Yavuz does is create such beautiful nostalgia, and through AI he tells the stories of people that seem both familiar and foreign at the same time.

Yavuz, a gay man himself, understands the AI argument and feels a need to comment on it, mainly on his Instagram, where he documents his internal arguments about his Ottoman series. In a post from September 1st, he expressed that he truly envies the imaginary Sarp who makes these images at the press of a button without thought, intention, or care. To have an artist be this self-aware of his place within the artistic community is extremely important, especially with this ever-burning argument. While AI art may be more accessible and easier to create, Yavuz’s unique vision sets him apart and places him at the forefront of artistry. His mind operates in ways that AI could never hope to replicate, which is precisely why his latest series is so significant.

Sarp Kerem Yavuz, Felekten bir gece (A night to remember), 2023

In Yavuz’s images, the strife of the world is put to rest, and the beautiful lives of his imaginary subjects are celebrated. Polaroids possess a unique ability to capture nostalgia and raw human emotion almost instantly. In this case, his AI software perfectly crafted this, and his created world feels all the more approachable and feelable. Their eyes look into yours and tell you their stories, their struggles. The lighting and the atmosphere feel like a mix of a Gatsby party and a college mixer, allowing for the full range of human emotions.

Yavuz’s artwork portrays various emotions, with sadness being the most subtle. While these images are celebratory, there is an element of riskiness presented in them, and we can feel the subdued restraint of each subject. They want to live their lives, but the look in some of their eyes conveys a sense of hopelessness. Their cultural constraints hinder their self-expression. This is why Yavuz's work is significant, not only in the field of AI but beyond. By sharing these stories, Sarp Kerem Yavuz serves as a poignant reminder to fully appreciate what we have now and to never take anything for granted.