Cyborg Manifest
3D Scanning, Modeling in Maya, Motion Capture, Sequencing in Adobe Premier Pro, Edited in Final Cut Pro
What is this piece about?
This piece was inspired by the topics of cyberfeminsim and human limitations. The task was to create a cyborg version of yourself, and in doing so, I created someone who is trying to run away from society's need to consume everything in the media. The only identifiable part of the cyborg is its beige box computer head which is a dehumanizing characteristic, stylistically chosen to represent a subject who lacks details and much of its own personality. The cyborg reaches the end of a corridor and finds itself stressed that every entryway leads to yet another puzzle waiting to be solved, another liminal space, another area in which there is a loneliness that cannot be escaped. In this chamber, self-reflection is found in the pool and adds to the concept of existentialism this subject is experiencing in the never ending loop of their isolation within the confines of the large digital world.
Cyborg Manifest Design Process:
- 3D scanning at the DLM at UNR- Students scanned each other to transform themselves into Cyborgs using Maya.
- Received 3D scanning files of model to import in Maya.
- Used computer beige box .obj file as the head of my Cyborg model to represent how media has consumed us all- we are all just people behind the screen online. Model was kept plain and simple to show static
- I modeled a liminal pool room in Maya using cubes and extrusion tools. There are 3 visible corridors in this project to show that they all lead to same place in the end. I found free assets for the pool room online and used textures that felt nostalgic. Walls are the texture of a 90s styled subway, floor tiles are basic tiles, basic checker pattern for a 90s/2000s touch reminiscent of arcades or food places. Pool water has movement which was created by following maya tutorials online. Pool ladder was a free asset found online.
- Learned how to keyframe camera movement and use motion capture from Mixamo to animate my cyborg in class and by online tutorials.
- Learned how to render using Arnold Renderer and sequence images into adobe premier to create the final animation in class.
- Added a manifesto for the project to edit in during video editing portion. The manifesto was written up and pasted into deathgenerator.com for an old operating system look.
- Used Final Cut Pro to add a nostalgic camera effect and glitch cut scenes from the manifesto to the animation for the final video. Scan the QR code to be directed to my website to watch the clip.
GLiTCH
Coding using p5.js, Adobe illustrate, Glowforge laser engraver, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Projection mapping
What is this piece about?
This is a project done throughout my education at UNR under the Digital Media program. It has been an amalgamation of different means of fabrication, from digital to physical forms including coding, laser etching, video editing, and even video projection art. A massive contribution to the widespread success of modern tehcnology is how temperamental it is, with glitches and errors paving way to better systems. Glitch, the project, is representative of this concept as well as tribute to how nothing is without imperfections, translating the digital world into physical media and encapsulating the intricacies of flaw in design.
Cyborg Manifest Design Process:
- Creative code project done in Intro to Digital Media course. This was to explore coding as a form of art and adding interactivity with mouse controls. In this case a stock photo of a woman was inserted as the background and a glitch code was added overtop. The user/viewers mouse if dragged across the screen will repeatedly print the word “GLiTCH” around the border of the image.
- The next form of this project took place in my Digital Fabrication class. I made a laser etching of the project on a wood board which was an interesting contrast between the idea of digital coded art on something found in nature (wood). There are naturally occurring “errors” when etched on the wood like the burn marks which adds to the effect of “glitch”.
- The most current form for this project was done in the Sound and Image course. Our final project was to explore projection mapping. I used the wood etching as a base and created a video exploring the glitch code in Adobe Premiere Pro. Sound was added as well to the projection using the same software and free audio clips to create the sound of someone coding and creepy music that added a nostalic feeling of old technology and distortion. When the projection video is off the original wood base acts as regular wall decor, so the video brings this static piece to life.
Superficial Candle
Modeling in Maya, 3D resing printing in the FabLab at UNR, Simple circuit design, sample render in Adobe Dimension
What is this piece about?
My first time modeling a 3D object in Maya was this project, and I thought a candle would be interesting for the idea of illumination because it would not be conventionally functioning. The lighting focus, rather than being from the wick itself, comes from an angle that showcases the subject from the inside out. For illumination we were given LEDs, but I added a breadboard with simple circuitry to give the candle an artificial lean due to its beginnings on digital software.
Super Fake Candle Design Process:
- Used the cylinder shape in Maya to created candle shape.
- Used smoothing tools in maya to create curvature of a melted candle.
- Drip on the side of the candle was created using extrusion and smoothing tools.
- Wick of the candle was created sizing down and stretching another cylinder.
- A small channel was modeled into the candle to fit a 6mm LED for illumination.
- Sent in files for 3D printing at the FabLab and collected to sand and polish.
- Built a simple circuit on a breadboard for aesthetic purposes and added more LEDs to bounce light off of the “natural” curvature on the candle.
Chicken
Legs
Modeling in Maya, Modeling in Magica Voxel
What is this piece about?
Digital consumption is the inspiration for this piece, with chicken legs as the representative factor due to their easy distinguishability. When portrayed in media, these specific cuts of meat are often grandiose and “done-up” for advertising, but rather disappointing in reality. The ways in which we consume media are also great in theory, with easier access to social spaces and construction of communities, yet online consumption often falls short to real-life interactions and could never replace genuine human connection.
Chicken Legs Design Process:
- This project was originally modeled in maya using only cubes to make the shape of the leg.
- For an added touch rather than being smoothed out I moved the model into a software called Magica Voxel where it then added a pixelated effect.
- For colors, I moved it back into maya to add color to the leg(s) and the final product was uploaded into sketchfab.