what is lost is (not) lost forever by angelo renna

 

‘What is lost is (not) lost forever’ imagines how extraordinary species which have become extinct in the last few centuries would look today, had they survived. To visualize this new AI-generated series, Italian architect Angelo Renna looks to scientific research and characteristic descriptions of these animals and plants, feeding them as text prompts to Midjourney to visualize their appearances. The project, he notes, is not de-extinction or a revival of extinct species but is instead an educative process to learn about other forms of life in history.

angelo renna envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today using midjourney
Raphus cucullatus: an extinct flightless bird that inhabited Mauritius | all images by Angelo Renna

 

 

reconnecting with forgotten historic species using ai

 

Using AI, Angelo Renna journeys back in time, in search of older forms of life connected with humanity, and preserving what is lost to connect and reconnect. With ‘What is lost is (not) lost forever’ the architect reveals the interplay of species and places that no longer exist through illustrative renderings.

 

Questioning whether AI can be used as an educative tool to learn about forgotten forms of life, the series reveals portraits of giant herb trees, Tasmanian sea creatures, predatory insects and giant rodent the size of a horse.

angelo renna envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today using midjourney
Hydrodamalis gigas (also called Steller’s sea cow): extinct large aquatic mammal

angelo renna envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today using midjourney
Conilurus albipes: extinct white-footed rabbit rat — a rodent related to rats, mice, and squirrels

angelo renna envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today using midjourney
Arthropleura: extinct millipede arthropods that lived in North America and Europe around 345 to 290 million years ago

angelo renna envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today using midjourney
Sympterichthys unipennis: extinct smooth handfish with four hands which are their pectoral and pelvic fins

angelo renna envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today using midjourney
Josephoartigasia Monesi: extinct huge rodent the size of a horse, weighing 2200 pounds, and five feet tall

angelo renna envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today using midjourney
Pinguinus impennis: extinct large and flightless bird found in the North Atlantic and as far south as Northern Spain

midjourney envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today
Tullimonstrum: extinct worm-like creature with eyestalks and a pincher-tipped proboscis with razor-sharp teeth

midjourney envisions how centuries-long extinct creatures would look today
Lepidodendron: extinct tree with a green trunk, soft tissues; scientists compare it to being a giant herb

what is lost is not lost forever 9
Sigillaria: extinct tree-like plants reproduced by spores contained in cones at the ends of their branches

 

 

project info:

 

name: What is lost is (not) lost forever
designer: Angelo Renna

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom