In recent years, AI-developed art has jumped to the forefront with hauntingly realistic images — often making us wonder about how art can now be used in ways we’ve never seen before. A new project by Istanbul-based photographer-lawyer Alper Yesiltas aims to pull this off with an emotional tribute to some of the most iconic celebrities of yesterday, that aren’t among us anymore.
“I would like to share with you the first piece of my AI-based project called As if nothing happened. Behind this project lies the question of ‘how people would look if some great events had not happened to them’. I look forward to your feedback and suggestions,” Yesiltas wrote while sharing a picture of Michael Jackson.
In total, he resurrected over a dozen personalities ranging from Princess Diana to Tupac, along with a heartfelt wish to turn back time and reverse each of their deaths. Some of his other AI-powered creations include an early AI experiment that undid pop icon Madonna’s plastic surgeries, giving the 64-year-old artist a ‘natural’ look.
Take a look at some of Yesiltas’ stunning work, which brings back memories of these timeless icons:
Michael Jackson
Heath Ledger
Tupac Shakur
Paul Walker
Freddie Mercury
Princess Diana
John Lennon
Bruce Lee
Kurt Cobain
Jimi Hendrix
Lead Image: @alperyesiltas