Heidi goes AI
"(Up)Rooted"
1st Place Winner of Heidi goes AI
Heidi, the iconic character created by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, has captured hearts since her debut in the 1880s. One of the most enduring children’s book characters of all time, Heidi’s story has inspired countless adaptations — from books and films to games and stage productions — connecting generations across the globe.
In 2023, the Heidi Archive was added to UNESCO’s International Memory of the World Register, highlighting its lasting cultural impact.
In October 2024, the Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco (Swiss Impact) and the Heidiseum — owner of UNESCO’s official Heidi Archive — created an open call to interpret Johanna Spyri’s original Heidi by creating an art piece with the help of AI.
In March 2025, Debora's piece "(Up)Rooted" won 1st Place. The exhibition ran for six weeks total showcasing the best 20 pieces as well as hosting panels around Art, Tech and AI with industry professionals.
How using Midjourney for the first time sent Debora on
an emotional journey of Acceptance
Artist Statement
“My approach to creating with AI, is the same I do in all my various mediums. I ask myself what is the story I want to tell? Why does it matter to me and others? What’s the point I want to highlight? I brainstorm and let my creativity flow just as if I would paint it or photograph it myself. I storyboard, think of concepts, colors, and style. AI comes in after that connected creative intuitive process, that only a human soul can deliver (so far, who knows?).
For “(Up)Rooted” specifically I came up with the concept and the story first, I was clear what moment and point I am making. I wanted to capture her inner emotional state, the stark contrast between the two different worlds, internally and externally. I also made executive choices on the colors and style.
After promoting and dialoguing with Midjourney for five hours, I received two individual pieces I liked. I then additionally changed parts of the piece as well as the background color, fusing the two into one, adding a final touch to it in form of the distortion effect, all done in photoshop by myself.”
Prompt 1
A 10 year old young girl Heidi from the Swiss Alps smiling and ecstatic with wild brown short hair, big eyes and wearing a traditional dress outlining the body till the belly button. The body is transparent, inside we see the Swiss Alps, the green pastures, the sun, the grandfather and the goats, happy on the alps. Bright colors, modern art style painting, sharp lines. Her body fills out 3/4 of the frame centered and is placed on a bright yellow backdrop.
Prompt 2
A portrait of the inner emotional world A 10 year old young girl Heidi from the Swiss Alps frowning and having a teardrop running down her cheek sad with combed back brown short hair, big eyes are sad and wearing a German old school grey dress outlining the body till the belly button. The body is transparent, inside we see a German old grey mansion, blonde Klara in a wheelchair, dark rooms and heavy colors. Grey, dark grey, dark blue and black and some white colors, modern art style painting, sharp lines. Her body fills out 3/4 of the frame centered and is placed on a light grey backdrop.
