Welcome to an interview with Clemens Maurer, a visionary German AI artist who breathes new life into the archetypes of our soul. Maurer's work blends the psychology of dreams with diverse art styles and art periods whilst harnessing the power of AI with a new twist. At the heart of his creations lies a profound exploration of the human experience, where beauty and madness combine into a symphony of harmony.
Welcome Clemens...
Where are you originally from? Where did you grow up?
I haven't traveled far in my journey yet. I'm originally from the southwest of Germany, having grown up in Stuttgart, a medium-sized city known to some as the home of Mercedes and Porsche. I attended art school in Hamburg and spent a few years there working as a graphic designer for publishing companies. Now, I'm based in Berlin, where I work as a freelance designer.
What attracted you to art and design in the first place? Could you share any early experiences?
I have my mother to thank for that—she took me to every art exhibition and museum she could find. Art and design have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. After finishing high school, I initially wanted to pursue a degree in art, but my family encouraged me to choose a path that would be more financially stable, so I opted for graphic design.
When looking at your work pieces, you have a wide variety of styles. Which art movements are you most attracted to and why?
As a graphic designers working with a variety of clients, I've learned to adapt to different styles or create entirely new ones to suit each project's needs.This ability to switch between aesthetic languages is something that naturally shows up in my own work. Having spent considerable time in the creative industry, I've accumulated a wide range of influences—everything from fine art and movies to haute couture and pop culture. These diverse sources from a kaleidoscope of images in my mind, yet one era continually draws me in: the pop art movement.
Pop art resonates with me because it blends the everyday with the iconic, combining elements of popular culture and fine art in a way that feels both nostalgic and innovative. I'm particularly drawn to the humour and irony that permeate pop art, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.
How did your academic and professional experiences shape your approach to design? In your experience, what makes good design?
I remember a professor who used to remind us, "You are designers, not artists. Don't forget that—you're providing a service, not creating art!" That mindset has stuck with me. I believe good design should be almost invisible; it doesn't draw attention to itself but makes the experience of using it seamless and enjoyable.
Your journey into AI...
What led you to incorporate AI into your artistic process? Was there a particular moment of inspiration that sparked your interest?
In addition to my professional work, I've always had a deep interest in art and photography, particularly analog photography, which I enjoy as a personal hobby. When I first saw AI-generated artwork appearing on Instagram, I immediately recognised it as an opportunity to bring to life ideas and images that had been in my mind for a long time but never materialised due to time and cost constraints. AI offered a new way to finally turn those visions into reality.
What are key themes you're looking to communicate with your audience?
My work may vary in style and content, but I often return to human figures and faces as central themes, using them to explore the human condition. Through my art, I aim to capture shared emotions and delve into the complexities of our existence, including the roles we play in modern society and our impact on the environment.
There's a certain ambiguity in these familiar forms that invites deeper exploration. Each piece carries ambiguity in this familiar forms that invites deeper exploration. Each piece carries layers of meaning, offering multiple interpretations. What might seem ordinary at first glance often reveals something more profound beneath the surface. This duality—the tension between the familiar and the mysterious—is designed to make the viewer pause, reflect, and hopefully engage more deeply. Ultimately, my goal is to evoke an emotional response and invite viewers to connect with the essence of being human.
How do you integrate psychological concepts into your art? Can you give an example of how you find inspiration for a particular piece?
I think the integration of psychological concepts occurs mostly unconsciously. But for the series "Social Phobia", for example, I wanted to visually translate my own experiences: the figure, tightly curled in on itself, evokes a profound sense of vulnerability and exposure. The naked, exposed form is a direct metaphor for the raw, unfiltered experience of feeling defenceless in social situations. At the same time, the figure's desperate, almost painful attempt to hold itself together captures the internal battle to maintain composure and protect one's sense of self.
I wanted to illustrated the duality of social phobia: the simultaneous desire to hide from the world and the desperate need to keep oneself intact.
What does your artistic process look like on a day-to-day basis? How do you balance creativity with the technical aspects of AI?
I have two main approaches to creating my images. The first involves ideas that have been on my mind for a while, waiting for the right moment to come to life. I usually start with a simple, straightforward prompt and run it several times with slight variations to see what works. This initial stage acts like a rough draft or sketch, and most of the time, the ideas don't quite click. As I refine the prompts, I begin adjusting different elements like setting, lighting, colours, and background, gradually shaping the images to better match my vision. Here AI plays more the role of a simple tool, like for example I would use a camera.
The second approach is more experimental. I use vague prompts that might confuse the AI, leading to unpredictable and often completely different results. In this case, I see the AI as a creative partner, generating new concepts that I might never have imagined on my own. I really enjoy this method because it feels more like a dialogue and often leads to surprising results. So here I don't see AI as just a tool for creating images; I see it as a catalyst that enhances my own creativity.
Looking into the future...
How do you see the future of AI in art? What possibilities or challenges do you anticipate?
While AI may cast a long shadow over the art landscape, it is unlikely to displace traditional art forms. Instead, I envision a future in which AI serves as a catalyst for creative exploration and offers new tools and techniques to express ourselves artistically.
Much like the evolution of photography from its humble beginnings as a mere craft to a full-fledged art genre, AI has the potential to redefine the boundaries of human creativity. Instead of imitating the aesthetics of traditional art, AI artists today should push the boundaries of what is possible further and further and develop their own language to find their own niche.
In the short term, I believe the most significant impact of AI lies in the conception of artistic creation. With the ability to swiftly generate countless visual drafts of ideas, AI has the potential to revolutionise the creative process, elevating established artists embracing AI as a playground for experimentation and exploration.
What are your upcoming projects and goals? Are there any new directions you are excited to explore?
At this point, my goals are not very exciting: I'm simply trying to find a way to somehow monetise my AI-generated work, though I haven't had much success yet. I've had plenty of offers and attempts, but that big breakthrough hasn't happened. So, it might just stay what it's been so far—a nice hobby.
What advice would you give creative people who aspire to become good designers?
Go to museums and galleries to soak up as much inspiration as you can. Look beyond the field of design you want to work in an explore all kinds of artistic work. Identify your favourite artists, designers or illustrators and try to create in their style—not to copy them, but to understand their techniques and methods.
How can people contact you?
DM me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ai_made_me_do_this/
Contact me over my website: https://ck-maurer.com/contact/
