Winner

Egomorphs is an introspective rabbit hole where the artist examines his relationship to the expectations, desires, transformations, and ideas of mortality he has become identified with. By following this inward journey during the creation of these self-portraits, this series embodies a search for the true self – an endeavor that’s fundamental to spirituality itself.

In a transformative departure from the processes of previous works, the artist utilizes his own body as a medium for self-expression. Each piece is driven by an AI-generated music soundtrack, inspiring spontaneous choreography performed live by the artist. Documented by an AI-based motion capture system, these performances are then transformed into surreal and evocative theatrical shorts through a mix of CGI and generative AI techniques.

This process was one of intuitive exploration, where no concept was predetermined. Instead, as the artist moved to the music, the body’s reactions tapped into unconscious emotions, bringing to light hidden fears and aspirations. These visceral responses then shaped the narratives of each piece, allowing the art’s meaning to reveal itself through this authentic self-expression.

Unlike typical AI-human collaborations driven by verbal prompts, this project explores a non-verbal communication rooted in the body’s instincts. The captured motion and likeness of the artist is reinterpreted by AI tools that alter the subject’s appearance, and its reflection, for effect. It’s a curious process that highlights a fundamental difference between humans and AI: the experience of having a body. Yet, through these morphing self-portraits, the transience of the body’s form highlights the presence of something deeper, even universal, that defines the self’s true identity.