Benjamin Benichou’s Samurai
From the Luxury Shogun series. Emerald Edo Dojo, inspired by Gucci.
This week, Raandoom is introducing Benjamin Banichou, an up-and-coming figure in the world of digital media and artificial intelligence. Benichou’s work is truly exceptional, undeniably mesmerizing, and innovative, often possessing an otherworldly quality. My first encounter with his work was through social media, where his Samurai series gained significant attention. His creations represent a groundbreaking exploration into the realm of AI-generated content, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in digital media. However, there is an ongoing debate about whether his work can be classified as art solely because it utilizes AI, highlighting a significant challenge faced by artists today.
Benichou is no stranger to digital media. As per his LinkedIn page, he boasts over 15 years of experience in digital media, brand strategy, and communication. He has spearheaded global campaigns for renowned brands such as Nike, Adidas, ASICS, Warner Bros., Orange Telecom, ’47, and Microsoft. In 2007, Benichou founded Be Street Media in France, and then in 2015, he launched UNRTD™ in Los Angeles, a pioneering creative agency and production company tailored to the evolving media landscape. Now, as the CEO and Co-Founder of Drop, he leads a tech venture dedicated to empowering brands and creators worldwide through conversational commerce, driving their growth and impact.
Benichou’s Luxury Fashion Samurai armor series, titled Luxury Shogun, epitomizes the fusion of traditional Japanese elegance with contemporary fashion. It represents a harmonious blend of ancient artistry and modern luxury, celebrating both heritage and innovation. Through iconic brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton embracing the samurai ethos, the series pays homage to the timeless beauty of Japanese culture. Inspired by the architecture of the Edo period, he developed a series of designs for major brands. These designs serve as conceptual models for stores or advertisements, drawing on both the aesthetics of that historical era and luxury brands. Immersed in the world of generative AI, Benichou was drawn to the challenge of merging this ancient Japanese aesthetic with the cutting-edge realm of high fashion, envisioning a dialogue between past and present in fashion design. Stemming from a deep appreciation for traditional Japanese culture, the series aims to encapsulate and celebrate the blend of beauty, precision, and discipline inherent in it. By exploring the visual and symbolic language of Asia, particularly Japan, the project pushes the boundaries of fashion and technology, reflecting Benichou's journey through the vast and vibrant landscape of East Asian art and design while serving as a tribute to the enduring influence of Japanese aesthetics.
From the Luxury Shogun series. Daimyo Dior, inspired by Dior.
From the Luxury Shogun series. Daimyo Dior, inspired by Dior.
From the Luxury Shogun series. Noir Precision Dojo, inspired by YSL.
From the Luxury Shogun series. Monogram Sanctuary, inspired by Louis Vuitton.
It is important to highlight that Benichou's workflow is not merely a matter of inputting commands into an AI program and getting an output. He emphasizes that his approach involves years of studying this content, mastering the techniques to generate new media using algorithms, and prompts, and sifting through countless online images. Each piece of work is the result of meticulous research and creative synthesis from a vast array of sources. While his earlier projects revealed the AI-generated nature of his work, he has since refined his process to meticulously craft lifelike pieces over time. According to his website, Benichou's work challenges conventional narratives, celebrating history while embracing the potential of technology. Flourishing in the digital landscape, his creative process views AI as a collaborator, blending tangible and abstract realms through 3D modeling and cutting-edge software. Themes such as duality, the convergence of eras, and the beauty of contradictions frequently emerge, enhancing the illusion of layered realities, and offering an immersive experience to the audience.
He openly acknowledges that all his work is AI-generated. Lately, he has faced criticism online, especially on Instagram, where people rightly point out his mislabeling and classification of his work as art. Nonetheless, he consistently emphasizes the involvement of artificial intelligence in his creations. Hence, labeling it as art would be inaccurate; instead, it should be regarded as some form of digital media.
From the Luxury Shogun series. Emerald Edo Dojo, inspired by Gucci.
From the Luxury Shogun series. Noir Precision Dojo, inspired by YSL.
From the Luxury Shogun series. Daimyo Dior, inspired by Dior.
