The Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco and the Heidiseum (owner of the UNESCO’s Heidi Archive) are thrilled to announce that the Call for Submissions of AI-generated art for the upcoming exhibition “Heidi Goes AI” is now open.
Heidi is the protagonist of the novel written by the Swiss writer Johanna Spyri. Published between 1880 and 1881, Heidi became one of the most successful children’s books of all times. This beloved character has since inspired numerous literary adaptations, film, television, theater, and even computer games, captivating audiences across generations with her timeless story, and reaching countries across the globe! This cultural icon was inscribed in 2023 on UNESCO’s “International Memory of the World Register”, testifying to the recognition of the global significance of its Heidi archive.
In the age of AI and generative technologies, how would you imagine Heidi?
We invite YOU, artists, professionals, and aficionados from all backgrounds from the United States and Switzerland to showcase your interpretation of Heidi using AI!
Submissions that not only explore the creative potential of AI reimagining Heidi, but also involve and express ethical, cultural, and artistic implications of AI in reshaping traditional narratives of Heidi are welcome.
You can win USD 3,000 (first place), USD 2,000 (second place), or USD 1,000 (third place) if your artwork is selected by our international jury!
Further selected artworks will be part of a two-month long iconic exhibition in San Francisco in spring 2025 and discussed during panels on topics such as the impact of AI on art and copyrights.
Make sure to submit your application by December 31,2024!
Need some inspiration? Watch how Karpi, a Swiss satirist, film producer, and speaker on AI created an AI-generated Heidi trailer that went viral in 2023.
About the Heidiseum
Founded in 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland, the “Heidiseum – The Heidi Heritage Project” pays homage to the literary works of Swiss author Johanna Spyri, who lived and wrote the worldwide famous book “Heidi” in Zurich. Through its worldwide cultural projects and exhibitions on “Heidi”, Heidiseum tells the success story of the Swiss girl, beloved by several generations over 140 years, who has become a true Swiss cultural icon.
Heidiseum’s mission is to establish a multimedia Heidi Heritage Center, which will make Spyri’s documentary heritage accessible to a broader public, in a modern and innovative way. The organization works closely with Swiss embassies and consulates and other partners to make Heidi a cultural experience for all and to spread the spirit of the story.
The Heidi Archive
The Heidiseum Foundation aims to collect, maintain, process, and further develop the unique cultural heritage of Johanna Spyri’s Heidi in its Swiss and international significance. The Heidi Archive maintains an extraordinary collection of unique documents on Heidi and was inscribed together with the Johanna Spyri Archive on the UNESCO’s “Memory of the World“ International Register. The Heidi Archive is an important pillar of the Heidiseum’s work.
"Heidi" is a classic children’s novel written by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, first published in 1880 in Gotha. The story revolves around a young orphaned girl named Heidi, and her adventures in the Swiss Alps. The novel immediately crossed national borders.
"Heidi" follows the life of an orphaned Swiss young girl named Heidi who lives with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. One day, her aunt takes her to Frankfurt, where she is to be the playmate of Clara Sesemann, who is confined to a wheelchair. Heidi suffers from the strict rules of the governess, Fräulein Rottenmeier and bourgeois life. Heidi becomes homesick and is finally sent back to her grandfather in the Swiss mountains. The story of Heidi touches on several themes such as immigration, education, homesickness, the healing power of nature, the importance of family, and the resilience of the human spirit.
"Heidi" is considered a cultural icon due to its enduring popularity, numerous adaptations, and its influence on children's literature worldwide. The novel has been translated into over 70 languages and has inspired more than 15 film adaptations. In 2023, Heidi was inscribed at the suggestion of the Heidiseum on the “International Memory of the World Register” of UNESCO.
Notable adaptations include various films, television series, and animated versions produced in multiple countries over the years. The international journey of "Heidi" began 1882 in Europe and reached the United States as early as 1884, from where the story went to Japan. Whether in the Hollywood adaption with the child star Shirley Temple or the animated Japanese version from 1974, Heidi has gained widespread attention and acclaim.
Johanna Spyri (1827-1901) was a Swiss author from Hirzel, a hillside village close to Zurich. She is most famous for her novel “Heidi”, which has had a lasting impact on children's literature. She is the most widely read and translated Swiss author, but has decided not to share her life details publicly. Biographers, by analyzing her work, have significantly shaped the narrative of her childhood, often painting it as a poetic and blissful experience. In the context of feminist research, the biography of this remarkable woman would be a worthwhile endeavor. It could show the central role that Spyri played in the emancipation movement of the 19th century despite all her contradictions.
AI art refers to artwork created with the assistance of artificial intelligence, often using algorithms and machine learning to generate or enhance visual art.
AI can be used to create art by generating images, enhancing existing artwork, or even creating new styles through the use of algorithms and machine learning models.
Popular tools for creating AI-generated art include DALL-E, Midjourney, RunwayML, DeepArt, and Artbreeder. Other platforms are also available online. Feel free to use any other tool, or a combination of them.
You can start with a traditional artwork and use AI tools to enhance or transform it, or you can combine AI-generated elements with hand-drawn or painted components.
Your process description should detail the tools and techniques you used, the inspiration behind your work, and any unique elements of your creative process.
Submissions will be evaluated based on creativity, technical mastery, conceptual depth and ethical considerations by our jury members. An international jury, composed of experts from diverse backgrounds, will select the winners, which will be exhibited at Pier 17 and discussed during panels, where themes like AI, art, and copyrights will be debated.
First place: USD 3,000 / Second place: USD 2,000 / Third place: USD 1,000 / Further selected artworks: Virtual or in-person AI-Workshop offered to the winners & networking opportunities. Visibility through onsite and online exhibitions and discussions.
