AI meets art with these reimagined, legendary classic cars
A Turkish lawyer created art using AI, turning iconic classic cars into vehicles of the future, blending tradition with modernity
The Fiat Multipla, reimagined using AI. Photo courtesy of Alper Yesiltas.
Alper Yesiltas, a Turkish lawyer and digital photographer, explores how art and AI interact and intersect, using AI to create unique works that explore the possibilities of combining art and the machine. Working since 2003, Alper’s first AI-based work ‘As If Nothing Happened’, created photo-realistic images that imagined what might have happened if the lives of icons such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Princess Diana, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, and Heath Ledger had not ended so tragically.
His latest project, ‘As If Never Braked’, plays with the same idea, reimagining legendary classic cars through the use of AI. Reimagined for today’s world, the cars form the basis for exploring how AI might be used in automobile design, bridging the gap between past and present and “allowing designers to draw inspiration from classic designs while incorporating modern technologies and aesthetics,” according to Yesiltas.
The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, reimagined using AI. Photo courtesy of Alper Yesiltas.
The digital photographer believes that his collection hints at how AI might be used in a number of ways within and adjacent to the automotive industry, “By using AI to reimagine discontinued car models, designers can pay homage to iconic vehicles that have played a significant role in the history of automotive design. This can help keep the legacy of these models alive and inspire future generations of designers,” says Yesiltas.
This living legacy can also help to stimulate creativity and innovation, helping designers to think out of the box and push the boundaries of design. According to Yesiltas, this might well lead to contemporary design solutions that merge timeless classics with cutting-edge tech.
The BMW Isetta, reimagined using AI. Photo courtesy of Alper Yesiltas.
Of course, there’s also a personal element to all this, “Reviving legendary car models can evoke strong emotions and nostalgia among car enthusiasts, potentially increasing the desirability of these vehicles. This emotional connection can serve as a powerful marketing tool and differentiate these cars in a competitive market,” says Yesiltas, connecting the financial and the emotional.
Finally, Yesiltas believes that the AI-generated images might well spark new design trends, “The fusion of classic and contemporary design elements in these AI-generated models may inspire new design trends, as designers explore ways to blend the best of both worlds. This can lead to the emergence of unique design languages and aesthetic approaches that enrich the automotive landscape,” he says.
The Fiat Multipla, reimagined using AI. Photo courtesy of Alper Yesiltas.
AI could also impact the car industry by democratizing design, bringing in individuals from different fields and potentially paving the way for a future that is both imaginative and sustainable by fostering links between artists and engineers. “By breaking down the barriers between disciplines, we can create an environment that encourages innovative thinking and transformative ideas,” says Yesiltas.
The BMW Z8, reimagined using AI. Photo courtesy of Alper Yesiltas.
All of this might well lead to the creation of new job opportunities and the chance to upskill designers and engineers in what may well be the first in a new generation of automotive creatives. Whatever the future holds for design in the automotive industry, there’s a very good chance that AI will play a major role.
