Minerva in the 21st century
hat would the Roman goddess Minerva look like in the 21st century? That's what Berlin-based photographer and science communicator Gesine Born asked herself. In Roman times, Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, tactical warfare, art and shipbuilding, as well as the guardian of knowledge. Her faithful companion was the owl, which in ancient times was a symbol of wisdom.
Gesine Born has reinterpreted the Minerva cult. In her imagination, the Minerva of the 21st century is a scientist whose faithful companion is still an owl. The sly bird looks over the researcher's laptop, keeps a watchful eye on the data or becomes a vigilant observer of the surroundings together with her.
The images were created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Gesine Born used the program Midjourney. She gave the software the text-based prompt: a photo of a xx year old xxx with xxx clothes, standing like minerva with an owl on her shoulder, standing in xxxx, ultrarealistic --v 5.
Midjourney thus created the female scientists as modern luminaries. Sometimes the women are shown in the laboratory, sometimes in the lecture hall, or simply walking down the street. None of the women exist in reality, but some of the images make the viewer believe they are real photographs.
For Gesine Born, AI image generation programs are just tools. "Artificial intelligence like this will not replace photography," the Berlin-based photographer is convinced. But they support me excellently in visualizing my ideas and concepts in strong images," she says.
Images: Gesine Born | Midjourney
Internet: www.gesine-born.de
Instagram: gesine_born
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