The mirror awakens. From beast to being, forms evolve – and a gaze meets the world.

The work presents an abstract canvas rich in color and pattern. On the left, black human silhouettes stand out against a gradient pastel background, ranging from light blue to pink. Cloud-like forms and organic elements, such as mushrooms and stylized plants, rise into the space, while fluid lines seem to evoke movement in the air. On the right, a dark, woody structure emerges, adding a mystical touch to the scene. The whole creates a dreamlike atmosphere, blending themes of nature, dreams, and identity.

Conceptualization: The work explores notions of transition between reality and imagination, suggesting a constantly changing landscape. The human silhouettes, without defined features, may symbolize individuality within a larger, abstract environment. The soft colors and flowing forms seem to invite reflection on the connection between humans and nature, while incorporating fantastical elements that enrich the visual experience.

In "Stage 6 – Land Animals and Humans," the theme centers on the awakening of consciousness and the evolution of forms, from animal to human. This stage represents a moment of transformation where beings recognize themselves and discover their connection to the world around them. By adopting a Sub-Flat perspective, we can explore themes of identity, evolution, and the reflective nature of consciousness, highlighting the reciprocal influence of these interconnected lives.

By using animal characteristics as metaphors for primal instincts and emotional truths, it parallels human experiences of growth and self-discovery.

In "Stage 6 – Land Animals and Humans," the Sub-Flat approach allows for a rich exploration of consciousness, reflection, and interconnectedness. By focusing on the evolution of forms and the awakening of self-awareness, this work becomes a dynamic dialogue about identity and the shared journey of existence. Through captivating visuals and immersive experiences, the work invites the viewer not only to recognize their connection to nature, but also to reflect on their own journey of growth and transformation within the vast landscape of life.

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Context and Theoretical Approach

The work sits at the intersection of reality and imagination, exploring the transformation of forms—from beast to being—through a rich visual metaphor. Two artistic approaches are combined:

• For Muriel, AI-generated art offers a world where abstraction and fluidity of forms are digitally manipulated. The pastel color palette and organic elements (mushrooms, stylized plants) are generated using algorithms that incorporate the notion of "sub-flat," an aesthetic that transcends simple flat illustration to create depth while maintaining a certain graphic simplicity.

• For Treeskulltown, the stop motion technique involves manual construction and frame-by-frame animation, as well as digital and physical painting. Each overlay on the silhouettes and each fragment of paint conveys a tangible, material, and instinctive dimension to the characters and environments. The gravity given to textures—like the dark, woody structure on the right—is enriched by the dynamic variations of light and movement characteristic of the stop motion technique.

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2. Thematic Development and Parallels

A. Awakening and Evolution

- In "Stage 6," the awakening mirror symbolizes the moment when animated forms become conscious and begin their transformation from simple animal instincts to a more reflective human dimension.

- For the AI ​​approach, this awakening process is interpreted by the algorithm, which "learns" through iterations, moving from a crude abstraction to more recognizable forms evocative of consciousness. - In stop motion, this evolution is materialized frame by frame: the gradual assembly of human and animal silhouettes shows, through each sequence, the subtle transition between animal movement and human expression, thus reinforcing the effect of an intimate and unavoidable moment of transformation.

B. The Interactions Between Man and Nature

- The gradient pastel background (from light blue to pink) and the organic elements illustrate the poetic connection between humanity and a natural universe.

- In Muriel's AI-generated universe, these natural elements are part of an abstract composition where the transition between the visible and the elusive reflects the complexity of identity.

- At Treeskulltown, in stop motion the attention to detail emphasizes the materiality of this connection, accentuating the tangible relationship between the individual and their environment.

C. Stylization and Visual Expression

- The representation of black human silhouettes against a pastel background serves as a metaphor for individuality in a constantly changing world.

- AI artists such as Muriel exploit the ability of algorithms to create abstract and moving forms, exploring the notion of "sub-flat" where depth is hidden behind simple, colorful lines.

- Meanwhile, Treeskulltown's stop-motion method emphasizes the ephemeral and dynamic nature of the transformation, using manual techniques to create a sense of magical realism. Each meticulously timed movement reinforces the idea that the transformation from animal to human is a process observed and understood almost as a ritual.

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3. Synthesis and Conclusion

By combining the points of convergence between Muriel's AI and Treeskulltown's stop-motion technique, the work "Step 6 – Terrestrial Animals and Humans" becomes a visual and conceptual dialogue on the evolution and awakening of consciousness.

- The parallel highlights a universe where the collective of moments, whether digitally generated or manually captured frame by frame, bears witness to the continuous transformation of beings, moving from animal instinct to human reflection.

- This duality between algorithmic processes and artisanal fabrication invites the viewer to reflect not only on their place in a vast and changing environment, but also on the role of art in representing this existential journey.

Thus, the convergence of techniques—AI and stop motion—enables the unfolding of a vision where abstraction meets materiality, and where the awakening of consciousness is read through a mirror where nature and humanity echo one another.

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This hybrid and comparative approach enriches the interpretation of the work by showing that, regardless of the medium used, the fundamental message remains the same: transformation, interconnection, and evolution are at the heart of the human and natural experience.