19. Models

Models:

My thought process:

It started with an exploration of the uncanny, and dolls.

Then, I began to experiment with my own dolls, which were lifeless, void of personality, but incredibly uncanny.

Next, I began to explore how other contemporary artists incorporate digital art into their work.

I discovered that digital contemporary artists often use 3D models to create surreal work that verges on uncanny, because of the strange realism of the models.

The artists I explored included....

Jack Addis

Emilie Gervais 

Lee Griggs

Unfortunately I do not have access to professional modelling equipment like these artists do, nor do I have any experience in creating 3D models from scratch, so I could not make my own .... so I explored a different route.

I explored game models, and found a game called World of Warcraft with a free model editor.

The models were surreal. The features were unrealistic and stylised, which added to the uncanny valley effect. The game included creatures such as elves, which I found to be surreal and interesting. The fantasy aspect reminds me of Kara Walker's work, from the beginning of my project.

I tried to capture them in different poses. I found it very interesting how many of their eyes were hollow, and I think it was a glitch.  Although, this wasn't a bad thing, because it added to the eerie / surreal effect.

I found these models very interesting to use, because they seemed to have their own personalities. The faces had expressions, and they did not seem entirely lifeless.

I understand that the game designers created these models to evoke personality and individuality for the players of the game, and I think they succeeded.

In my case, their subtle personalities work in my favour, because it brings life to my pieces - making it even more uncanny, because you would not usually expect a 3D model to be easy to relate to. Especially not an elf / hollow eyed human.

She looks shy.

Distorting the colour makes her look less like an elf and more like an alien.

This model is strange, beacuse she has glamorous hair and big breasts like a pin up model / doll. But, her eyes are completely hollow. It's eerie.

The darkness around the edges is very unnerving.

This model almost looks flirty. Her eyelids are heavy, like bedroom eyes.

It's strange to think of a 3D model being seductive. It makes me uncomfortable, even before I have altered the imagery at all.

The abstract patterns distort her in such a way that the hand is no longer visible, only the eyes. The eyes stand out most of all, in the image, but since they do not look like REAL eyes, they are hard to decipher on first glance.

Inverting the colours gives a very strange, alien effect. The eyes are still the focal point.

I dug deeper into the model viewer and discovered some OLD models, with lower quality resolution. They are jagged in places, and the faces are a bit scary.

They are like dolls, perfectly symmetrical and proportionate.

I think the piece above is TERRIFYING because of the way that the layer affects highlight her eyes.

The layer effects together make her skin seem burnt or bloody, and the eyes are still sharp and hollow. Emotionless.

Altering the colours was a quick and effective way to change the mood.

I dug deeper, and found some old BROKEN models. These are glitched models with no hair, no face and no texture.

They are like silhouettes, reminiscent of the very beginning of my project.

I find this piece to be very eerie, but very interesting. On first glance you can't tell that it's a person, let alone a woman, but looking closer you can see the outline of the figure and face. I enjoy how you can see a brief suggestion of a flower, on the left hand side.

Something natural, in a sea of unnatural things.

I found that using models was very successful in creating STRANGE, UNCANNY pieces of work. I find that the older the models are, the more doll-like and unnerving they seem. Lifeless.