{"id":8770,"date":"2023-06-26T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm-makersplace-editorial\/"},"modified":"2023-06-26T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T12:00:00","slug":"art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm-makersplace-editorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm-makersplace-editorial\/","title":{"rendered":"Art for Advocacy, Uncovering Our Racial Biases in Text-to-Image, and Our Cybernetic Future: Interview with Heather Timm | MakersPlace Editorial"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Heather Timm is an emerging interdisciplinary artist known for her bold and experimental approach to digital art. Embracing her artist identity in 2020 after a two-decade hiatus, Heather returned to the art world with a renewed passion, blending traditional and digital media to create visually striking works. Despite facing significant challenges, such as losing her studio to a flood and a car accident that limited her physical ability to paint on canvas, Heather found solace in digital art, which allowed her to continue creating despite these limitations.<\/p>\n<p>Her work is characterized by a rejection of preconceived notions about what art is or should be, and she does not limit herself to any single medium, style, or technique. Instead, she sees her work as a collaboration with everything and everyone around her and aims to transport viewers into a world of vibrant colors, beautiful patterns, and bold shapes that challenge the way we see the world around us.<\/p>\n<p>In the past two years, Heather\u2019s art has been exhibited in venues such as the University of Chicago Media Arts Data &amp; Design (MADD) Center, The Crypt Gallery in New York City, Bang &amp; Olufsen Soho, NFT.NYC, and international cities including Lisbon, Prague, Taipei, and Groningen. She has been an invited speaker at numerous events, including a private roundtable convened by the Creative Commons organization to discuss Generative AI, Artist Empowerment, and Copyright.<\/p>\n<p>Heather Timm\u2019s unwavering passion and commitment to her craft, along with her ability to transcend boundaries and make meaningful contributions to the art world, have solidified her status as a promising and influential emerging artist. She proudly calls the Pacific Northwest her home and continues to create bold, boundary-pushing works that inspire others to see the beauty and interconnectedness of all things and embrace the transformative power of creativity in their own lives\u200b\u200b.<\/p>\n<p>Please enjoy our interview with Heather Timm.\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch\/Listen to the Interview<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Art for Advocacy, Uncovering Racial Bias in AI, &amp; Our Cybernetic Future: Interview with Heather Timm\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nJRNxJMXGKw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introductions and Unusual Career Pathways<\/h2>\n<p><strong>BW: Can you introduce yourself to our readers and listeners?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Sure. My name is Heather Timm. I\u2019m an interdisciplinary artist based in Seattle. I\u2019ve always been an artist but spent two decades in the technology industry to make ends meet. A couple of years ago, my art and tech worlds collided, changing the trajectory of my life. I left my career and have dedicated myself to my art practice.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: That\u2019s very cool. I had a similar experience. I ended up at MakersPlace when I saw that NFTs could bridge my tech background as a tech startup content manager and my previous life in the art and film world. What sparked your return to art in 2020? Were you doing art on the side during those 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Yes, I did create some art while raising my two kids, but many things had to be shelved. I couldn\u2019t balance everything. I had recently started painting again, primarily in acrylics, when a series of unfortunate events unfolded.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We lost the lower level of our house to a flood, forcing my kids to move into my art studio. Then, we had a high-speed car accident on I-5 that injured my right shoulder. I couldn\u2019t lift it to paint on a canvas, even though I was finding art very cathartic at that time. I needed an outlet, and digital painting introduced through a class blew my mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Even though I was in tech, I was not on the design or art side. I was mostly in product and leadership. This intersection had never occurred before, and it was a game-changer. I dove into AI and multimedia, and it altered the course of my life.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress\">\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label=\"VideoPress Video Player\" width=\"666\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/jlMXTVZn?cover=1&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=1&amp;hd=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" data-resize-to-parent=\"true\" allow=\"clipboard-write\"><\/iframe>\n<\/p><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/makersplace.com\/product\/be-captivated-by-our-power-1-of-1-463109\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Be Captivated By Our Power<\/em> by Heather Timm<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding a Community: Crypto and Trash Art Movements<\/h2>\n<p><strong>BW: That\u2019s fascinating. I spoke to Dawnia Darkstone yesterday. Her shift into glitch art was partly motivated by car accidents, much like yours. I also interviewed Chazz Gold whose choice of medium was influenced by a home invasion that left him partially paralyzed. Technology, like AI for Chazz, can act as an accessibility tool, similar to a wheelchair ramp. It\u2019s interesting to see how life circumstances shape the mediums artists gravitate towards. But tell me, why did you sideline art in the first place?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> The truth is, I was always creative and artistic, but I never saw it as a viable career. It was an outlet for my expression. The idea of mixing money with something so deeply personal felt like a level of vulnerability I couldn\u2019t manage. I made art for myself and my friends, often gifting it to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The idea to pursue it as a career was influenced by people I met online, especially within the crypto art community. The trash art community was particularly influential. There\u2019s a lot of gatekeeping and elitism in the art world. But everyone is inherently creative.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The trash art community resonated with me because it recognized forms of creativity that aren\u2019t usually identified as high art. It felt honest and often acted as performance art against the culture they found themselves in.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: Did the trash and glitch art community help you fuse vulnerability and commerce?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Absolutely. They inspired me to explore myself creatively without the noise of other distractions.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: What drew you to trash art?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> I believe we\u2019re all inherently creative and that, apart from early cave paintings, all art is somewhat derivative. We\u2019re expressing our experiences, and remixing art and being open about it was refreshing for me. Too often, communities guard and protect instead of inviting and including. I wanted to be part of a group that\u2019s unabashedly open and welcoming.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img data-lazy-fallback=\"1\" data-attachment-id=\"22107\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/entranced\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?fit=1000%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1000,1000\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Entranced\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?fit=900%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?resize=900%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?resize=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Entranced.jpeg?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/makersplace.com\/product\/entranced-1-of-1-453122\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Entranced <\/em>by Heather Timm<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: I love the trash art crew too. Their openness is wonderful.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Yes, it feels right to be part of such an inclusive group.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Challenging Preconceived Notions in Art<\/h2>\n<p><strong>BW: Pulling from your bio, it mentions that your work is characterized by rejecting preconceived notions about what art is or should be. Now that you\u2019ve returned to visual art, have you discovered any unconscious preconceived notions that come up in your art? And if so, do you consciously overcome them or embrace them as a part of you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> The answer is yes to all of it. I sometimes struggle with my own preconceived notions influenced by society and my experiences. This can lead to self-criticism and hiding my work. But I recently discovered experimental paintings by my grandmother, who was a landscape artist. These were my favorite works of hers. It was a powerful reminder that I need to share my work because there\u2019s an audience for every type of art. There are many out there who need to know they\u2019re not alone, and my art might speak to them.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: How do you balance artistic consistency, which can become a brand, with eclectic exploration, particularly as someone making a full-time career out of art?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> I believe there\u2019s room for both. It really depends on what feels authentic to the artist. For me, while a consistent brand might be more marketable, I\u2019m willing to take the risk to stay true to my creative instincts. That\u2019s real creative freedom for me. It\u2019s not about second-guessing or trying to sell an idea. Others may find a unique style that resonates with them and their audience, and that\u2019s fantastic. But for me, my art practice often resembles how I read books. I start a book, find an interesting citation, and suddenly I\u2019m down another rabbit hole. I believe in honoring the parts that make the whole, creating a gestalt.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-attachment-id=\"22109\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-41-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-41\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?fit=900%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22109 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=900%2C900&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img data-lazy-fallback=\"1\" data-attachment-id=\"22109\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-41-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-41\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?fit=900%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=900%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-41.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Grandmother Earth (Unci Maka) <\/em>by Heather Timm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: Your piece, \u201cGrandmother Earth,\u201d also known as \u201cUnci Maka,\u201d reflects Lakota Native American concepts. You also acknowledge the native tribe of Seattle on your website. Do you have a special interest in or relationship with native cultures?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Absolutely. Acknowledging Native Americans is acknowledging the truth of our history; they are the stewards of our land. While I don\u2019t have Native American heritage, I have friends who are indigenous, and I deeply respect their culture. My studies in comparative religions were my first introduction to understanding different indigenous cultures. The concept of earth stewardship, of the earth as our mother and life-giver, resonates with me personally.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Art as a Call to Action: Encouraging Allyship Through Creativity<\/h2>\n<p><strong>BW: The \u201cYou Can\u2019t Erase\u201d series features diverse figures, including a Native American woman, a young Muslim girl, and a trans woman. Could you shed more light on this series, especially as we\u2019re featuring it on MakersPlace soon?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> This series has been deeply personal to me, probably my most personal work. It was inspired by the anti-trans legislation in the US, the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the overall struggle for body autonomy. The attempt to erase certain communities is not limited to the US, and I explore this concept of erasure through my art.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>My work also serves as a call to action for allies and marginalized communities to stand up for one another. Despite tackling grave circumstances, my art is infused with color and light, symbolizing the energy we need to shape the future we want. I see the current times as the last gasp of dying norms, making way for a future that celebrates diversity.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress\">\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label=\"VideoPress Video Player\" width=\"666\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/Tu2MWfTA?cover=1&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=1&amp;hd=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" data-resize-to-parent=\"true\" allow=\"clipboard-write\"><\/iframe>\n<\/p><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/makersplace.com\/product\/for-the-love-of-machines-1-of-1-456625\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>For the Love of Machine<\/em>s by Heather Timm<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exploring Bias in AI<\/h2>\n<p><strong>BW: Could you describe other pieces in this series beyond the three I mentioned?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Early pieces included the ones you mentioned. The series has evolved to include a trans woman outside a restroom and a Jewish father with his daughter, referencing anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. I\u2019m using artificial intelligence in this series to uncover and document biases that are deeply ingrained in our culture. AI presents an opportunity for us to reflect on our power structures and biases. A simple example is the representation of people in AI. The world\u2019s largest population is Asian, yet that\u2019s not reflected in a generic prompt about people or couples. I use both specific and generic prompts to draw out the truths hidden in these AI systems.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: What kinds of biases do you see when you\u2019re prompting? For instance, if you were to prompt with \u201cJewish dad\u201d or \u201cNative Americans,\u201d how does the system respond?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Stereotypes are definitely present, and sometimes even more concerning is the lack of diverse representation unless you\u2019re explicitly asking for it. For instance, if you prompt for a busy sidewalk scene, the output is generally of white people, not a true reflection of diverse city streets. This issue comes from where we\u2019re gathering the information and the focus of many media companies. There\u2019s a great opportunity here to ensure more representation.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-attachment-id=\"22112\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-42-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?fit=1500%2C844&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,844\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-42\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?fit=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22112 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=900%2C506&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img data-lazy-fallback=\"1\" data-attachment-id=\"22112\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-42-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?fit=1500%2C844&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,844\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-42\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?fit=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-42.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Native Erasure<\/em> or <em>You Can\u2019t Erase the First People<\/em> by Heather Timm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: I come from a background of screenwriting, and it\u2019s interesting to see a similar trend. In screenplays, a character like \u2018John, a man in his 50s\u2019 is generally imagined as a white man unless otherwise specified. It\u2019s fascinating and concerning that AI is reflecting this default white casting. You must also ensure the AI doesn\u2019t produce wildly offensive residues of our past.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> That\u2019s right, there\u2019s a lot of cleanup to be done.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: It could be insightful to create a video showing the standard AI representations of Jews or other communities, how you navigate around that, and how it could inform those designing and training these systems.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Yes, I also want to use tools like Clip Interrogator to understand where these representations originate from. It\u2019s an interesting tool that can reveal the influences behind an image. I\u2019ve used it on some of my physical paintings to understand my influences, and it\u2019s been quite accurate.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: Fascinating. Could you also tell me about your piece, Echoes from the Merge?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Echoes from the Merge explores the intersection of humans and machines, something that has been evolving for a long time. Our brains and the way we process information have been significantly altered by technology. I was also inspired by the transhuman community, the people who are experimenting with biohacking and augmenting themselves. This piece examines both the exciting and somewhat terrifying aspects of this reality.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress\">\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label=\"VideoPress Video Player\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/rVsw6iGE?cover=1&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=1&amp;hd=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" data-resize-to-parent=\"true\" allow=\"clipboard-write\"><\/iframe>\n<\/p><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/makersplace.com\/product\/echoes-from-the-merge-1-of-1-456697\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Echoes from the Merge <\/em>by Heather Timm<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Art, Science, and the Future<\/h2>\n<p><strong>BW: There\u2019s a lot to unpack there. Every week seems to bring some new development, like Apple\u2019s Vision Pro, that has the potential to change life as we know it. Then, you project ten years into the future and it starts to look pretty strange.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Absolutely. We\u2019re heading towards a future with both genetically modified and organic humans.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: Yes, and I\u2019ve been considering when we\u2019ll reach the point where we grow a human that\u2019s essentially a computer. I\u2019ve seen research on using artificially grown brain matter as hardware because it\u2019s more efficient than silicon.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> That\u2019s true, our DNA, which is our code, has a much larger storage capacity. We\u2019re already executing it.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: This morning I saw a news report about scientists growing an embryo without male or female input. It\u2019s all fascinating. Now, as we\u2019re discussing science and art, I\u2019m intrigued by your art pieces \u2018Echoes from the Merge\u2019 and \u2018For the Love of Machines\u2019. Both have specific runtimes -\u201447 and 37 seconds respectively. Can you explain the reasoning behind this?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Absolutely. I often use math to draw connections between different elements in my work. The 47 seconds in \u2018Echoes from the Merge\u2019 relates to a super prime, a concept in quantum math theory. The idea of math underpinning everything gives me comfort, but it\u2019s also somewhat existentially unsettling.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: What makes it unsettling?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> I think it\u2019s the realization of how much can be reduced to an algorithm. This has an impact on our understanding of the creative process, and raises questions about what it means to create. Despite this, I feel somewhat hopeful because we\u2019re just replicating what we are. Everything is trying to propagate itself.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-attachment-id=\"22120\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-44-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?fit=1500%2C844&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,844\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-44\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?fit=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22120 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=900%2C506&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img data-lazy-fallback=\"1\" data-attachment-id=\"22120\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-44-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?fit=1500%2C844&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,844\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-44\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?fit=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-44.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Trans-cend Erasure<\/em> by Heather Timm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: It\u2019s impressive how much you\u2019ve accomplished in the past three to four years, considering that\u2019s when you discovered digital art. You\u2019ve produced a range of art, including ASCII, Glitch art, trash art, generative art, AI art, and even an augmented reality experiment. How do you balance creating and learning?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> That\u2019s a great question. I think I\u2019ve been so prolific because I spent almost two decades not doing much, so I had a lot pent up. As for the balance, it\u2019s a process of expansion and contraction. I explore all the nooks and crannies that I haven\u2019t before, but also periodically contract and go a bit deeper with some of my work.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: I\u2019m curious, when do you find yourself experiencing an unproductive level of depth? Is that a result of over-planning or doing too much research? What are the signals that you pick up on?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> I think it\u2019s an analysis paralysis. When I start to feel an excessive amount of existential dread, or when I start to over-criticize my own work, I know I\u2019m going too deep. Being critical of one\u2019s work is necessary but being overcritical can be detrimental. Artists often put deep parts of themselves into their work and can be very sensitive. This can lead to over-editing and self-criticism which can be counterproductive.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Career Building as a Creative Process<\/h2>\n<p><strong>BW: Does your business background provide you with any useful tools or mental models?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Not specifically from business, but I\u2019ve learned the idea of \u201cact as if and you will become\u201d. Show up like you belong there and you will belong there. I applied this when I worked in technology where I was often the only woman in the room.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-attachment-id=\"22118\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-43-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?fit=1500%2C844&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,844\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-43\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?fit=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22118 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=900%2C506&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img data-lazy-fallback=\"1\" data-attachment-id=\"22118\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-43-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?fit=1500%2C844&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,844\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-43\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?fit=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-43.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>You Can\u2019t Erase Our Potential <\/em>by Heather Timm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: What\u2019s your creative process for career building?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> Honestly, I\u2019m still figuring this out. I\u2019ve been successful in business and life but being a career artist is a different challenge. I like your notion of treating it like a creative process. I believe this mindset can help me experience something different in my career.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: Could you share how you transitioned from being a teenage drug addict to having a successful career in technology?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> It wasn\u2019t a direct transition. After falling ill, I returned home. It was a challenging time, but I had a spiritual experience that acted as a turning point in my life. That moment, I decided to change the course of my life. Eventually, I got a job at a tech company during the dot com bubble. I worked various jobs to get there. That was a recurring pattern in my life, rising when things seemed at their lowest.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: Can you talk about your view on spirituality?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> I\u2019m not a fan of organized religion. I appreciate seeing connection and pattern. I believe in the connection that\u2019s bigger than me, threading us all together. To me, that\u2019s spirituality.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-attachment-id=\"22122\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-45-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?fit=1000%2C666&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1000,666\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-45\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?fit=900%2C599&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"599\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22122 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?resize=900%2C599&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img data-lazy-fallback=\"1\" data-attachment-id=\"22122\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/image-45-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?fit=1000%2C666&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1000,666\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-45\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?fit=900%2C599&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"599\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?resize=900%2C599&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-45.png?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Reincarnation <\/em>by Heather Timm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: How does frustration manifest in your creative practice, and how do you overcome it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> When I hit that point of frustration, I find it helpful to step back and look at where it\u2019s coming from. If I\u2019m truly stuck, it\u2019s time to take a walk outside and connect with nature. It helps me to regain my perspective.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>BW: What advice would you give your 20-year-old self about art, creativity, and the creative life?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HT:<\/strong> I would say, find the glitch and trash artists because they will be your people. They will inspire you to explore things that you mig have otherwise neglected. Keep showing up for yourself and others and appreciate those who are part of the solution. That\u2019s the energy you need to keep moving forward.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For updates on all of our upcoming Artist Features, subscribe to our newsletter below.<\/h4>\n<p><!-- Mailchimp for WordPress v4.9.5 - https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/mailchimp-for-wp\/ --><!-- \/ Mailchimp for WordPress Plugin -->\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/2023\/06\/26\/art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=art-for-advocacy-uncovering-our-racial-biases-in-text-to-image-and-our-cybernetic-future-interview-with-heather-timm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Heather Timm is an emerging interdisciplinary artist known for her bold and experimental approach to digital art. Embracing her artist identity in 2020 after a two-decade hiatus, Heather returned to the art world with a renewed passion, blending traditional and digital media to create visually striking works. Despite facing significant challenges, such as losing her [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8772,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/rare.makersplace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Untitled-design-6.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8770"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8770"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8770\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}