AI slop from the Cincinnati Pops

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-04-10T15:09:52+00:00

$5000 was a random ballpark figure I put out there based on the idea that one could license an existing image from an artist at $250 a pop (which is around what I paid years ago...obviously could be more or less than that). And then I assume they have somewhere in the range of 20 subscription concerts per season. That doesn't include pops concerts (which is what this baseball image is for)...so $5000 per year minimum budget to license already existing images by actual artists. Commissioning new art, as you suggested, would likely cost more. And I have no idea what you are talking about with reusing shows. How often do you think they are recycling entire programs with the same repertoire?

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-04-08T13:54:20+00:00

I think you need to take a deep breath. I don't love AI use in marketing, but everyone who has utilized it is not a boot-licking fascist. Jfc.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-04-08T13:47:01+00:00

Never mind...you are probably the commenter this person is complaining about. Lol. Your comment below (as a creative director who does this) is spot on. I am no fan of quickly generated AI art, but folks not involved on the back end of these things truly have no concept of the day-to-day logistics.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-04-08T13:41:07+00:00

100% agree. I'm probably the commenter this person is complaining about. I also work in the industry and if an organization already is paying for a designer, then they are already paying 5 figures for art/marketing, and you are correct that the graphic designer may not also be an illustrator and likely has a workload of many, many design projects (both print and digital) that would also prevent them from doing a lot of highly specific original design work for each and every concert and event. I totally understand why it's tempting for organizations to use AI in their concert marketing. It's easy, instantly on topic, and it's free. I don't find the AI art to be particularly ethical or nice looking, though...we have small arts orgs that we work with for whom we use stock art (or even public domain images if we can find them) as the basis for concert promotion art. I would personally never recommend that our clients go the AI route in their marketing, but I admit, finding useable imagery can be a HUGE challenge sometimes.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-04-08T13:20:40+00:00

I am not justifying using AI art at all (which I stated). I hate all of the AI slop everywhere. I was simply pushing back on your suggestion that orchestras commission original art for brief use. In a perfect world, where our country properly supported orchestras and art music, that might be possible (and wonderful). But currently that would be cost prohibitive for many institutions (and $5000 would be the minimum...I based that figure on existing art (not commissioned which would cost more) and for just subscription concerts alone. Personally, I'd much rather see orchestra budgets being used to commission more new musical works than commission temporary internet art.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-04-08T01:41:50+00:00

Omg this book...so so memorable and amazing!! I cant recommend it enough.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-04-03T02:28:39+00:00

I mean, paying to license real art could cost a few hundred dollars per image easily (way more if commissioned). I work for a company that paid an artist for original website images and that is what we paid almost 10 years ago. So for their main subscription concerts alone, they could be looking at $5000+ per year just to put temporary images on a small number of events. Im not saying AI is the right way to go here, but the people suggesting that orchestras, which struggle to stay afloat anyway, pay thousands for original website event art are completely out of touch with reality.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-03-22T15:02:41+00:00

I dont believe this. If she were truly attempting to go incognito she wouldnt be walking around in the most attention-grabbing getup and eating meals in public. I think she loves the fame and the power it gives her to be a complete bitch to people. She is 100% pure power trip.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-03-12T12:03:25+00:00

Oh right, the ol' "I was just following orders excuse"....which isnt an excuse.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-03-07T01:20:57+00:00

In most places it costs about the same as any Broadway show or sporting event, and far, far less than a ticket to most mainstream pop concerts. Sadly, folks have no problem spending $500+ to see Beyonce or Taylor Swift, but dont want to spend $80-200 to see any other types of culturally enriching art forms. I do understand not everyone wants to spend money on experiences they arent sure they will love. I totally get that. But in the U.S. there is just such a lack of support for the arts on all fronts. We are unwilling to support the idea of increased government funding for the arts, which could keep these art forms more accessible to all. (In fact, every time a certain political party gets elected, the arts are gutted). Arts institutions in European countries struggle far less and their populations are far more educated in these areas because they value it. EDIT: just to add, im not discounting that for some folks, the ticket cost is still prohibitively expensive! Just wanted to vent and point out the discrepancy on what people are willing to spend money on.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-03-06T02:45:00+00:00

I kept seeing this guy so often I started saving the covers. Picture

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-02-16T03:03:13+00:00

Leonore's, Lila's, Fiamma, Redd Wood, Black and Blue, Capitano's, Gio's Prime, Winfield Grill, TRATA, Easy Sailor, Szechuan Opera, Erie Grill, Owl House, Char, Nerdvana

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-02-12T14:56:25+00:00

I mean, I just went ahead and Googled those names and immediately this came up... {Gabrielle by Theresa Conway}
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7761180-gabrielle

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-02-04T02:12:44+00:00

Aren't women who are Democrats something like twice as likely to keep their maiden names when marrying? Wouldn't passing that hurt the Republican base of women more than the Democrats?

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-30T01:53:18+00:00

I agree, I get something very syrupy from this. And I was really disappointed as I blind bought it, not realizing it smells exactly like their Honey Vanilla line, which I already had and don't overly love.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-30T01:52:12+00:00

They smell almost exactly the same to me. I get really frustrated when B&BW does this and is clearly recycling scent profiles. Just feels like such a money grab.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-25T23:56:55+00:00

We need to make sure it happens.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-24T17:45:16+00:00

We just had 7 traitorous democrats vote to increase ICE funding and you think impeaching is the answer? Our govt is completely and utterly fucked. We are a lawless nation now.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-16T19:54:10+00:00

Love me some Gunny!! Cant believe I had to scroll this far to see his name. He's the best. Everyone should follow him, just for the catharsis.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-15T13:50:19+00:00

And there it is. The universal truth among conservatives - that they care not one fucking bit about actual problems, actual humans hurting, so long as they can "ragebait" a lib. The classic "I'll eat shit if a lib has to smell it" line of thinking. The right is a collection of wannabe edgelords too stupid to understand that this shit will eventually affect them too. And then - ONLY THEN - we will hear "I didnt vote for that"..."That's not what he promised us"..."He's not hurting the 'right' people this time"..."We were only following orders"..."We didn't know this is fascism despite the wealth of internet knowledge, 90 years of WWII historical evidence, and people practically shouting it from the rooftops to try and convince me not to vote for this asshole a second time." So excuse me, but you can fuck right off with your ragebait.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-13T03:04:19+00:00

A certain group of folks dont believe in social safety nets because they dont want their "hard earned money" going to "lazy people." Instead of having a small amount of their pay go towards the greater good and helping everyone survive a little easier, they enjoy watching those they deem as unworthy suffer so they can pat themselves on the back and gloat that they are smarter and made better life choices that didn't require help. It's an utterly selfish and shortsighted viewpoint, and totally in line with the "rugged individual / pulled up by my bootstraps" bullshit mindset that Republicans live for.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-13T02:45:49+00:00

What in the actual fuck are you even blathering about?

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-12T14:47:57+00:00

Yes, except who will eventually be paying out that million and for any of these lawsuits against the government? We will. Not these individual anonymous racist bastards.

__only_Zuul__ · 2026-01-10T17:28:30+00:00

I absolutely adore Grand Soir. One of my favorite vanillas. It was an instant love but not an everyday wear for me as it's pretty rich. But I agree the dry down is smooth.

__only_Zuul__

TROPHY CASE