Every Second Bends The Future.
Exploring the Intersection of Art, AI, and the Unexpected with SERIFA
Join us for a compelling conversation hosted by our contributing Travel, Arts, and Culture editor, design scientist Dr. Melissa Sterry. We delve into the captivating world of Nastassja Abel and Christian Otto, the creative minds behind the studio SERIFA. Based south of Munich, this dynamic duo has spent the past two years crafting a unique artistic vision, blending traditional creativity with cutting-edge AI technology.
This interview with SERIFA explores how their motto, “Defining New Aesthetics,” drives their innovative integration of AI into art, blending control and unpredictability to craft unique visual languages. The artists discuss the importance of ambiguity, daily creation discipline, and themes like encryption and incognito. They share insights into their evolving process, embracing AI as a transformative tool that amplifies human creativity.
YOUR STUDIO MOTTO, “DEFINING NEW AESTHETICS”, ENCAPSULATES YOUR MISSION. COULD YOU ELABORATE ON HOW THIS PRINCIPLE SHAPES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS, ESPECIALLY WHEN INTEGRATING AI INTO YOUR WORK?
“Defining New Aesthetics” reflects our ambition to push beyond familiar boundaries and explore new, uncharted territories. This mindset motivates us to adopt and experiment with technologies like AI. For us, it’s not about using AI as a shortcut but about tapping into its potential to uncover new visual languages. Our focus is on innovation and on continuously revisiting the question of what art can mean in a digital, technology-driven world.
YOU’VE CITED GERHARD RICHTER’S STATEMENT, “I DON’T LIKE PICTURES THAT I UNDERSTAND”, AS CENTRAL TO YOUR PHILOSOPHY. HOW DOES THIS CONCEPT OF AMBIGUITY INFLUENCE YOUR ARTISTIC DECISIONS AND THE THEMES YOU CHOOSE TO EXPLORE?
With our background in editorial design, we’ve been exposed to countless images. Our artistic journey began with a desire to surprise ourselves with the “unseen.” Richter further elaborated on his statement by saying, “The Mona Lisa is good because I don’t understand her.” Ambiguity allows for personal discovery and emotional resonance. Our works are intended to challenge viewers and create space for individual interpretations, rather than offering fixed narratives.
THE DAILY ART PROJECT INSPIRED BY A PIN READING “ART EVERY DAY” HAS AMASSED OVER 600 PIECES. HOW HAS THE DISCIPLINE OF DAILY CREATION TRANSFORMED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRACTICE OF CREATING ART?
The daily practice has fundamentally transformed our workflow. For us, art is not a sprint but a marathon. This routine keeps us moving forward and allows for small, gradual changes to accumulate over time. “ART EVERY DAY” reminds us that art is a process that redefines itself through consistent practice. This ongoing discipline has deepened our understanding of creativity as a continuous, evolving journey.
YOUR RECENT FOCUS IS THE THEMES OF “ENCRYPTION” AND “INCOGNITO”. CAN YOU SHARE HOW THESE IDEAS EMERGED AND WHAT THEY REPRESENT IN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR BODY OF WORK?
The themes of “Encryption” and “Incognito” stem from our fascination with the intersection of visibility and invisibility in the digital world. Encryption is a key aspect of modern technologies, while “Incognito” symbolizes anonymity and hidden layers. These concepts are reflected in our works through distortions, glitches, and noise. We look for “signals in the noise,” exploring the tension between clarity and obscurity. Abstraction plays an essential role here, as it allows viewers to see themselves in the works. This approach reflects how technology simultaneously fosters connection and opacity in our lives.
AI-DRIVEN CREATIVITY INHERENTLY INVOLVES COLLABORATION WITH A MACHINE. HOW DO YOU BALANCE CONTROL AND UNPREDICTABILITY IN YOUR WORK, AND WHAT SURPRISES HAVE EMERGED FROM THIS PARTNERSHIP?
We view the unpredictability of AI as an essential part of our creative process. While many strive for perfection or control, we deliberately embrace the opposite—we want to be surprised. AI has the unique ability to produce results beyond our imagination, which is far more valuable to us than achieving a preplanned outcome. It’s a balance between control and letting go: sometimes we guide the AI, and other times it reveals paths we hadn’t considered. Our aim is to create something unexpected, alive, and resonant, rather than striving for perfection.
CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF HOW YOU CREATE YOUR ARTWORK USING AI? WHAT STEPS ARE INVOLVED, AND HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHEN A PIECE IS COMPLETE?
For us, art becomes art when you declare it as such. Our process begins with generating a large number of images using AI. Then comes a careful selection phase, where we intuitively choose which pieces have potential. These selected works are refined further using additional tools, allowing them to evolve organically. The decision of when a piece is complete is entirely intuitive—it must resonate with us in the moment. Our daily practice ensures that our perspective continuously shifts, and this natural evolution finds its way into the works.
WHAT AI SOFTWARE OR TOOLS DO YOU USE IN YOUR STUDIO, AND HOW HAVE THESE SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGIES ENHANCED YOUR ABILITY TO EXPLORE NEW AESTHETICS?
We experiment with a wide variety of tools. There are so many exciting developments in this field that we prefer not to commit to fixed favourites—the “how” matters less to us than the “why.” Each new tool brings fresh possibilities, and our goal is to test them to see which ones best align with our vision. The rapid advancement of AI technology offers us a wide range of creative options, and we see this evolution as a promising horizon filled with potential.
YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS BRIDGES HUMAN INTENTION WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE. COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW YOU APPROACH THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN INTUITION, CONCEPT, AND THE TOOLS AT YOUR DISPOSAL?
The tools we use are just that—tools. They don’t replace the vision or intuition of the artist. Much like an experienced photographer can create stunning images with a disposable camera, the focus is on the person behind the camera, not the technology itself. For us, AI is another medium—like oil paints or photography—that enables us to execute ideas more quickly and innovatively. Historically, technological innovations like paint in tubes revolutionized art by allowing artists to work in new environments. Similarly, AI expands the possibilities of creative expression but still relies on the human vision behind it.
THE ENIGMATIC AND ABSTRACT QUALITIES OF YOUR WORK ALIGN WITH A BROADER SHIFT IN MODERN AESTHETICS. HOW DO YOU ENVISION YOUR ROLE IN THIS EVOLVING ART LANDSCAPE?
Our work contrasts with the highly polished, high-resolution aesthetic that dominates today’s visual culture. It is characterized by randomness and intentional blur. Art is always a reflection of its time, and by incorporating technology into our process, we mirror its transformative role in society. We hope our work resonates with those who, like us, are curious about change and embrace it with openness and curiosity.
WITH OVER 600 DAILY PIECES PUBLISHED ON INSTAGRAM, SOCIAL MEDIA SEEMS INTEGRAL TO YOUR PRACTICE. HOW HAS THIS PLATFORM INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE AND BUILD YOUR ARTISTIC NARRATIVE?
Instagram is an essential platform for showcasing our work and reaching a broader audience. It has opened doors to collaborations and enabled us to connect with a global community of artists and art enthusiasts. More than just a visibility tool, it’s a space for dialogue—a platform where we share completed works as well as insights into our creative process. This interaction has shaped our artistic narrative and connected us with a vibrant, engaged audience.
YOUR STUDIO IS PREPARING TO LAUNCH UNIQUE PIECES ALONGSIDE YOUR EXISTING ART PRINTS. HOW WILL THESE NEW OFFERINGS EXPAND YOUR ARTISTIC VISION AND CONNECT WITH COLLECTORS?
Next year, we plan to introduce curated collections featuring original works, limited editions, and unique items. These seasonal launches will allow us to place a stronger emphasis on distinctive pieces and offer collectors something truly special. We see this as an opportunity to broaden our scope and experiment with new formats that deepen our artistic vision.
FINALLY, HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF ART BEING INFLUENCED BY AI? WHAT ROLE DO YOU THINK ARTISTS WILL PLAY IN A WORLD IF IT’S INCREASINGLY SHAPED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?
AI is already transforming the art world, but we don’t see it as a threat to human creativity. Instead, AI will integrate into mixed-media processes, much like digital editing expanded photography. The defining element of art is not the tool used but the vision behind it. Artists will continue to innovate, adapt, and push boundaries—using AI as a complement to, not a replacement for, their creative repertoire. The art of the future will flourish at the intersection of tradition, technology, and imagination.
edited by Melissa Sterry