DESIGN NAME: Parallel
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Personal Exhibition
INSPIRATION: The inspiration comes from human evolution. What causes it to happen and what causes it to stop? Naturally evolution happens because of the specific environment. Organisms adapt accordingly, but since the age of technology, the human race has been manipulating its environment in order to survive. This sparked the idea that there has to be a civilization intelligent enough to live in symbiosis with nature that uses their technology to compliment nature rather than destroy it.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The human race throughout history has proven to be more self-destructive than constructive. According to ancient eastern philosophies, there has to be an opposite to everything. Then surely the idea of an opposite / parallel existence must have some truth. This project is to show the idea that somewhere there is another human-like civilization living in peace and harmony with nature, instead of relying on technology for their survival.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: This project should serve as an awakening to the human race to use technology for the benefit of the planet and not for personal gain. Let nature take its course and learn how to adapt and the rest will follow. This will allow humans to evolve to a higher level of thought and surpassing a greed based lifestyle and changing to a symbiotic outlook. At the moment technology is speeding up life rather than allowing life to happen at its natural pace because of human greed and curiosity.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: This project started research in November 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa and ended in February 2016 in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. It will be on display to the public in mid 2016 via selected South African Galleries.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Photography and Photo Manipulation Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The models were photographed in studio to achieve dramatic lighting reminiscent of Renaissance paintings known as chiaroscuro. Afterwards they were placed onto individual backgrounds. The landscapes were shot in Namibia because of its alien-like landscapes. In photoshop the image was brought together by adjusting the colours to mimic those of old renaissance paintings. This was further amplified by adding a cracking texture onto the final composition to age the pieces like old paintings.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: By adding egg yolk to powder paint, a cracked surface texture was created by applying the mixture to a wooden board. Once dried, the board was exposed to harsh sunlight to form the cracked surface needed. This was photographed and overlaid as a texture in photoshop. Since the project is print based, this texture needed to be done by hand in order to look real.
TAGS: renaissance, parallel universe, evolution, symbiosis, nature, survival, opposites, higher intelligence
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The research consisted of visual and conceptual. The visual objective was to mimic characteristics of renaissance paintings. Conceptually a parallel universe had to be displayed using a renaissance style. The visual research was based on studying renaissance masters like Raphael, Leonardo and Michelangelo. The conceptual data was gathered from various documentaries and personal insight. The effect of the research should serve as a mind shift to humanity to live less complicated lives.
CHALLENGE: Because the project is meant to resemble a parallel universe, it was necessary to add elements that would distinguish their world from ours. Manipulating the physical appearance of the two characters to simulate their human like appearance as well as adding 2 moons to resemble a skyline from another universe achieved this. The renaissance painting treatment was solved using a Raphael inspired styling on the models for the photo shoot and clever colour grading in post production.
ADDED DATE: 2016-02-17 09:11:22
TEAM MEMBERS (5) : Creative Direction - Chris Slabber, Photo Manipulation - Chris Slabber, Photography - Dirk Steenkamp, Lighting - Kleinjan Groenewald & Dirk Steenkamp and Models - Kimbal Stokes & Chris Vlok
IMAGE CREDITS: Image No 1: Photographer Dirk Steenkamp, Manipulator Chris Slabber, Adam & Eve, 2016.
Optional Image No 1: Photographer Dirk Steenkamp, Manipulator Chris Slabber, Adam 1, 2016.
Optional Image No 2: Photographer Dirk Steenkamp, Manipulator Chris Slabber, Eve 1, 2016.
Optional Image No 3: Photographer Dirk Steenkamp, Manipulator Chris Slabber, Adam 2, 2016.
Optional Image No 4: Photographer Dirk Steenkamp, Manipulator Chris Slabber, Eve 2, 2016.
Video: Footage Kleinjan Groenewald, Editing Chris Slabber
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: This project is the intellectual property of Chris Slabber & Dirk Steenkamp.
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