- Date
- 24 JULY 2024
- Author
- GLORIA MARIA CAPPELLETTI
- Image by
- HEY_REILLY
- Categories
- Interviews
What Makes Hey Reilly's Art Stand Out in the Digital Age?
In a world where the lines between digital and analog blur, Hey Reilly stands at the forefront of this creative convergence. From Glasgow's gritty streets to the serene forests near Hastings, his journey has been a vibrant mix of influences, each locale leaving its mark on his dynamic work. Having studied at the Royal College of Art and traversed the global hubs of New York, London, and Hong Kong, Reilly’s move to the countryside has paradoxically amplified his creative output, proving that tranquility can indeed breed intensity.
Known for his innovative use of technology, Reilly seamlessly integrates artificial intelligence into the artistic process, treating AI as a co-creator rather than a mere tool. This synergy between human creativity and machine learning not only enriches his work but also introduces an element of unpredictability that keeps his art fresh and exciting. Reilly’s exploration of deep fakes, for instance, is more than a technical endeavor; it’s a commentary on the ethics and aesthetics of our digital age. By juxtaposing the familiar with the fantastical, he challenges viewers to reconsider the reality of the images they consume.
In this exclusive interview, Hey_Reilly opens up about his creative journey, the integration of AI in his work, and the exciting future of digital art. Join us as we delve into the mind of this trailblazing artist, exploring the inspirations, challenges, and innovations that define Hey Reilly.
Could you share a bit about yourself—where you're from, where you currently live, and how your surroundings influence your creative process and work?
Originally from Glasgow Scotland, came to London to study menswear / textiles at the Royal College of Art, lived and worked in New York, London and Hong Kong, then recently moved to live in the forest near Hastings on the south coast of the UK. Everywhere I've lived has influenced what I do, but strangely enough since I moved to the country my work has become even MORE, let’s say!
Your collaborations often fuse art with technology, including projects with AI. Could you tell us more about how you integrate artificial intelligence into your creative process and what excites you most about these co-creations?
It depends on the project really, some I use AI. others not at all. I'll always start with dreaming, framing, imagining and research - searching for a concept or an image idea. When using AI tools, it's like a constant process almost like recipe development, too much or too little, until it's close to what I want, then reworking in analogue or running the idea through a different set of AI tools. I like this overlaying of effects, it's what makes the work unique and still feel totally "mine".
Deepfakes have sparked controversy but also opened new avenues for creativity. How do you perceive the intersection of deepfakes and visual art? Are there ethical considerations you keep in mind when exploring these techniques?
The algorithms are always updating, generating variations and twists, two thirds of which might not be usable, so it takes a long time to develop the language. It’s like having a new tool, like any other, but this one feels like an augmentation to my imagination. What excites me most about these co-creations is the unpredictability, and the serendipity of something new and unexpected. Integrating image AI into my working practice brings a new perspective which is exciting, as it offers its own way of reinterpreting my original concept.
These new terms sound like we know what they mean, but we have to check before just accepting them. As in everything, being contextually literate builds an innate awareness and confidence in "reading" digital images. It's this lack of contextual awareness that scares those unversed in looking in this way. But we don't all have to dumb down our creativity for the safety of a few, and anyway I don't consider what I do to be deep fakes, which for me seek to confuse, convince and hide their illegitimate aims.
I’ve created some (really bad, but obvious) fakes in the past, but my aesthetic wants to come from a shared sense of fun, where we are all in on the joke. I mean, Charles and Camilla singing at EurovisA.I.n, with Pope Francis winning? Using the "construct" of a Hey_Reilly sensibility has built a context for reading these images, which floats in a shared consciousness among my followers and clients. We get it; we're fine with it.
Your work spans across fashion, fine art, and digital media. How do you navigate the fast evolving landscape of visual communication in the digital age, and what role do platforms like Instagram or Discord play in shaping these narratives?
Well that's very kind, fashion, fine art and digital media are like the Holy Trinity of inspiration for me! But I might re-focus that slightly differently, to cover fashion, digital art and social media, where each field feeds into one another, creating a dynamic loop of ideas and aesthetics. Instagram is my favoured playground, an inspiration and where I build a platform for my ideas and work, to connect, build and engage my audience. The instant feedback and global outlook are obviously essential too.
The entertainment industry is increasingly shaped by digital creators. From your perspective, how do you see digital art and fashion shaping the future of entertainment and pop culture?
Wow, that's a hard question. This interview really wants to make me think! In truth I don't spend a lot of time analysing things like this. I don't see it as my role to have an overview, I'm too busy having fun in the scrum I suppose...!
Your #FakeNews series became a viral sensation, blending humor with social commentary. What motivated you to start this series, and how do you think it reflects current societal trends and perceptions?
Image saturation and information overload, the power of branding and logos, via the semiotics of Roland Barthes and a deep love of fashion language. A big part of the idea in the #FakeNews series was noticing and riffing on the trend for endless fashion "collabs' ' between brands, that's what gave the mashups their currency. Then an unexpected added spin of the meme vortex arrived when my images entered the real world on real clothes, when it was picked up by Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld.
Collaborating with major brands like Fendi and Gucci has allowed you to blend high fashion with your distinctive style. How do these partnerships influence your creative freedom, and what challenges do you face in maintaining your artistic integrity?
It’s been a dream come true to get the opportunity to work with brands such as Fendi and Gucci and it's in the nature of what I do to be inside the shared consciousness recognised in these creative powerhouses, so I’ve been super lucky to work freely with them in my creative process. I must also credit my education and final training at the RCA, it built in me a flexibility and supple understanding of how to build and mold projects inside and alongside in-house teams, and I also salute these teams and agents and agencies who I've worked alongside: Hat tip! Every creative knows the challenges of endless revisions and re-writes against deadlines, that often seem to water down a concept. But just as many other times these challenges have ended up resolving into fresher and more fully resolved work. So you, you know, I tell myself to keep it loose, lighten up and live!
As someone deeply embedded in digital culture, how do you stay ahead of trends while maintaining a unique voice? What advice would you give to aspiring artists navigating the fast-paced digital landscape?
The years spent imagining and creating, and also failing and forgetting, have left me with a sort of serenity and confidence I suppose, and that's just something age and experience brings. But luckily I enjoy playing and keeping up with the shock of the new and turbo-fast digital change. I don't know if I feel comfortable giving advice though, given that fast pace of change. I was lucky to come through at a time when higher education was supported through local and central government for example, and London all those years ago was a messier and cheaper place to live. But I always think if that urge, that jolt of creativity hits, you must just follow it! The power of inspiration is often in the freedom of being free to play, maybe to lose but to just keep on playing.
Your Instagram account is a hub for creativity and cultural commentary. How important is community feedback and interaction in shaping your projects, and how do you balance personal expression with audience engagement?
We all know social media feedback can be a minefield, which I choose to navigate in my own way. I try to reply to as many positive comments as I can, but in a HeyReilly way - which usually includes the use of lots of emojis! I love that idea of a shared evolving hieroglyphic language that emojis allow, and usefully, avoiding strictly verbal replies limits opportunities for negativity, by acting in an arena of shared in-joke positivity which the HeyReilly construct has built and plays in, TOGETHER with its beautiful audience.
Looking to the future, what excites you most about the intersection of AI, art,technology, and entertainment? Are there specific projects or collaborations on the horizon that you're eager to explore further?
OMG the future - we're already there! Essentially I feel like I’ve just dipped my toe in, but history has taught us over and again that a powerful new tool changes the game, and I aim to approach such moments with a lightness, a playfulness and joy that should only humanise or even re-humanise these tools that look to be humanity's most powerful creation.
I am excited though, because why not be?? This intersection as you call it liberates untapped aspects of my, OUR creativity, and that must be good. no? But also the more prosaic, practical considerations like the time saved finding, editing and adjusting images etc, that freeing up of time for use out in the real world, IRL! That's my newest collab, the great outside, the space to breathe, the sky. new people, the magical forest, right outside.
