Nominated as Lead Creator at the 4th AI-ARTS Competition 2025

A special recognition for artistic practice at the intersection of human and machine

Being nominated as Lead Creator at the AI-ARTS.ORG Competition marks a significant milestone in my artistic engagement with generative AI. This recognition by the international AI-Arts community validates not only the technical execution but above all the conceptual approach that shapes my work.

What Does the Lead Creator Nomination Mean?

AI-ARTS.ORG has established itself as one of the leading platforms for AI-generated art. The organization systematically documents the evolution of AI-supported creativity in contemporary art. With the 4th AI Arts Competition 2025, Lead Creators were nominated for the first time – artists whose work demonstrates not only technical excellence but also conceptual depth and a thoughtful dialogue between human intention and algorithmic possibility.

The nomination considers several factors: the consistency of artistic vision across different projects, technical innovation, contribution to the community, and the ability to communicate complex concepts through visual language.

Submitted Works: Between Constancy and Change

For the competition, I submitted two central works that illuminate different aspects of my artistic practice:

Recurring Now: What Changes, What Remains

“Recurring Now” is an experimental AI animation film that explores the philosophical tension between permanence and change through visual metaphors. A rotating cube traverses various contexts – from turbulent waters through abstract textures to figurative representations. The form remains constant while everything within transforms.

The work poses a fundamental question: What defines us – the unchanging structure we inhabit, or the constantly shifting experiences that fill it? This meditative loop was created with ComfyUI, the SDXL Model, and AnimateDiff, representing my approach to using generative AI for conceptual video art.

Suspended States

“Suspended States” emerged during a phase of personal and societal upheaval. The series examines states of transition – that space between stability and change where nothing feels fixed or predictable. The works visualize the beauty of these in-between spaces and explore how uncertainty generates both anxieties and unprecedented possibilities.

Technically, the series uses advanced workflows in ComfyUI with specific ControlNet configurations to achieve a balance between human control and algorithmic unpredictability.

Technical Approach: Workflow Development as Artistic Practice

My work is based on an iterative process that goes far beyond simple prompting. The development of specialized workflows in ComfyUI is itself part of the artistic practice:

Workflow Architecture for “Recurring Now”:

Base: SDXL Model with custom LoRAs for consistent color palettes
AnimateDiff integration for fluid transitions
ControlNet chains for geometric precision
Custom preprocessing for texture consistency
Multi-pass rendering with upscaling workflows

Technical Innovation in “Suspended States”:

Integration of depth maps for spatial coherence
Post-processing with Gimp for color grading

This technical depth distinguishes the works from simple prompt-to-image generations. Each piece undergoes numerous iterations where human decisions and algorithmic processes engage in dialogue.

The Role of the “Rust Orange and Dim Blue” Series

My ongoing series “Rust Orange and Dim Blue” forms the conceptual foundation for these works. The characteristic color palette – warm rust orange tones combined with muted blue shades – creates a visual signature that remains recognizable across different projects.

This series was already selected for the AI-ARTS.ORG Annual Collection 2024 and chosen among the top 10 by the AI Judge in an earlier competition. The continuous development of this visual language demonstrates a mature artistic approach that utilizes technological possibilities without being dominated by them.

Conceptual Positioning: Beyond the Technology Hype

The Lead Creator nomination honors an approach that shows neither technophobic rejection nor uncritical technology enthusiasm. My work deliberately positions itself in a discourse about:

Creative Agency: Where does human control begin and end in the creative process with AI? The works address this question not only conceptually but make it transparent through the choice of tools and methods.

Authenticity and Materiality: Although entirely digitally generated, the works evoke the haptic qualities of traditional art media. This conscious ambivalence invites reflection on digital materiality.

Process as Work: The iterative development of workflows, the documented engagement with the limits of technology, and transparency about methods are integral parts of the artistic practice.

Community Contribution and Knowledge Exchange

An essential aspect of the Lead Creator nomination is the contribution to the AI-Arts community. Through detailed articles on stefaneisele.com, I share:

Technical workflows and ComfyUI setups
Reflections on the creative process with AI
Documentation of iterations and decision-making processes
Critical examination of limitations and possibilities

This open approach helps ensure that AI art doesn’t appear as a mysterious “black box” but is understood as a comprehensible artistic process.

Significance for the AI-Art Community

The nomination as Lead Creator underscores several important developments in the AI-Arts community:

Maturation of Discourse: The community is moving from pure technology fascination toward differentiated artistic positions.

Recognition of Conceptual Work: Not only technical virtuosity but also conceptual depth and artistic vision are honored.

Long-term Artistic Development: The nomination acknowledges consistent work over extended periods, not just individual viral pieces.

Technical Tools and Philosophy

My technical setup is based on a thoughtful interplay of various tools:

Primary Generation Tools:

ComfyUI as central workflow platform
Stable Diffusion SDXL Models
Custom-trained LoRAs for stylistic consistency
AnimateDiff for moving image generation

Control and Precision:

ControlNet (Multiple configurations)
Depth-Anything for spatial control
Custom preprocessing scripts
Seed management systems

Post-Processing:

Upscaling workflows (4x, 8x)
Blender3D and Gimp for color grading, cutting scenes

These tools are not used as ready-made solutions but as building blocks for individually developed workflows that support specific artistic intentions.

Outlook: First AI-ARTS Biennale 2026

A special aspect of the Lead Creator nomination is the invitation to the First AI-ARTS Biennale 2026. This biennale will be presented in a permanent VR gallery, complemented by satellite events.

This new form of art presentation reflects the nature of AI-generated art: it exists primarily digitally but can be experienced in various contexts and formats. The Biennale will provide a platform to present advanced works to an international audience and further develop the discourse on AI in art.

Reflection: Where Does AI Art Stand Today?

The Lead Creator nomination provides occasion to reflect on the current state of AI art:

Technical Maturity: The tools have reached a point where consistent, high-quality results are possible. The challenge is no longer in fundamental feasibility but in artistic vision.

Conceptual Differentiation: The first wave of AI art excitement is over. Now it’s about developing independent artistic positions that not only impress technically but also convince conceptually.

Community Formation: Platforms like AI-ARTS.ORG play a crucial role in establishing standards, documenting development, and creating spaces for discourse.

Integration into Art Discourse: AI art is moving from a niche phenomenon to a recognized artistic practice embedded in broader art historical and theoretical contexts.

Thanks and Recognition

The nomination as Lead Creator would not be possible without:

The AI-ARTS.ORG community and their dedicated work
The organizing team that sets new standards with the AI Judge and curated approach
The technical community behind tools like ComfyUI, Stable Diffusion, and ControlNet
Fellow artists who inspire through their work and discourse
Everyone who follows my work, comments, and supports through their interest

Practical Implications for AI Artists

For artists working with generative AI themselves, this nomination offers several insights:

Technical Depth Pays Off: Investment in deep technical understanding enables artistic control that goes beyond superficial prompt experiments.

Conceptual Consistency Counts: A coherent artistic vision across multiple projects is recognized and valued by the community and juries.

Transparency Creates Trust: Openness about methods, processes, and even limitations strengthens one’s position as a serious artist.

Community Engagement Matters: Exchange with other artists, sharing knowledge, and participation in discourse are essential aspects of artistic practice in this field.

Technical Details for the Community

For interested artists, here are some specific technical details about the nominated works:

“Recurring Now” Workflow:

Input: 3D geometry (cube) from Blender
→ Depth Map Generation via MiDaS
→ SDXL Base Model (cfg_scale: 7.5)
→ ControlNet Depth (strength: 0.8)
→ Custom LoRA for color palette (weight: 0.7)
→ AnimateDiff Temporal Layer
→ Frame-by-Frame Consistency Check
→ 4x Upscaling via Ultimate SD Upscale
→ Temporal Smoothing

“Suspended States” Workflow:

Initial Generation: SDXL + Custom Prompts
→ Multi-ControlNet Setup (Canny + Depth)
→ Iterative Refinement (3-5 Passes)
→ Regional Conditioning for color zones
→ Custom seed sequences for variations
→ High-Res Fix with 2x Upscaling
→ Post-Processing in DaVinci Resolve

These workflows are starting points for your own experiments. The specific parameters vary depending on the desired result and must be adjusted iteratively.

Conclusion: A Milestone in an Ongoing Journey

The nomination as Lead Creator at the 4th AI-ARTS Competition 2025 is a significant recognition, but not an endpoint. It marks a moment in an ongoing artistic practice that engages with the possibilities and limitations of generative AI.

The works “Recurring Now” and “Suspended States” demonstrate that AI art can be more than technical virtuosity or aesthetic effect. It can raise philosophical questions, reflect personal experiences, and develop an independent visual language.

For the AI-Arts community, this nomination represents confirmation that the path toward a mature, conceptually grounded artistic practice with generative AI is possible. It’s a path that unites technical understanding, artistic vision, and critical reflection.

The coming months until the AI-ARTS Biennale 2026 offer the opportunity to further develop these works, initiate new projects, and actively shape the discourse on AI in art.

Further Information

This article is part of my ongoing documentation of artistic work with generative AI. For updates, follow me on Instagram or subscribe to the newsletter at stefaneisele.com

Tags: AI Art, Lead Creator, AI-ARTS Competition, ComfyUI, Generative AI, SDXL, AnimateDiff, ControlNet, Rust Orange and Dim Blue, AI-ARTS Biennale 2026, Recurring Now, Suspended States, AI Video Art, Generative Art, Stuttgart, Ettlingen