"People tell me they usually don't like AI - but this somehow touches them and moves them"
Moti Bachar, 37, from Tel Aviv, launched an Instagram page that uses AI to reimagine the moments preceding the creation of iconic artworks, such as the "Mona Lisa" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring". Within three days, his videos garnered over 400,000 views. In an interview with mako, he discusses his workflow and sudden success: "I went to sleep with 30 followers and woke up with two thousand."
Moti Bachar, 37, from Tel Aviv, launched an Instagram page this week that uses artificial intelligence to imagine the behind-the-scenes moments of some of the most renowned works in art history. The page, unseen_studio_ai, was opened on Monday and has already reached about 8,000 followers, with three videos collectively garnering over 400,000 views.
"The power of this concept lies in using AI—the most cutting-edge technology, which many are averse to—to bring classics and art masterpieces to life," Bachar tells mako. "I believe this connection between the classic and the technological is what resonates with people."
The first video featured Caravaggio's "Boy Bitten by a Lizard," a work close to Bachar's heart. The second, focusing on Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," has reached approximately 350,000 views and nearly 1,000 comments. The third video explores Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring."
Bachar, who works in high-tech leading a product design team, has been creating with AI for three years to realistically reconstruct unphotographed moments. "I studied architecture at Bezalel and took art history courses there. I fell in love with that world, and it remains very close to me," he says.
Describing his process, Bachar explains that it starts with the story, not the prompt. "I first define the narrative and the emotion I want to convey. Then I work with ChatGPT to break down the story and build the frames. Once I have the images, I animate them using models like Kling, Runway, or Luma, choosing the best tool for each specific shot."
Manual editing is the final, crucial step. Bachar uses the Videoleap app by the Israeli company Lightricks on his phone. "Editing is one of the most important parts of the process—selecting the right music, the right frames, and the right cuts. It’s not just a single prompt; it’s about assembling the raw materials," he notes. His efficiency is improving: the first video took six hours, while the latest took about three to three and a half hours.
The viral growth was unexpected. "I posted the first video to my story and had 30 followers. After my sister encouraged me to make another, I chose the 'Mona Lisa' because of its iconic status. I went to sleep with 35 followers and woke up to two thousand. It was a crazy day of engagement, and I expect to reach 10,000 followers soon," he says.
Bachar notes that many viewers who usually dislike AI find his work moving. "Often, AI in art is used for comedic effects—making the 'Mona Lisa' talk or move in a funny way. I prefer to stay authentic. I want to move and touch the audience, not just make them laugh," he explains. He plans to continue the series, potentially exploring Picasso or even sculpture in the future.
