Inside The Second Eyelid (Shanghai) is an experimental animation that blends 3D, 2D, and AI animation techniques to create a surreal depiction of post-AI urban experience.
I imagined a space where visual languages can be translated into neural signals, and spiritual experiences can be shared among minds. Images and visual culture fostered by machines flourish in urban experiences. Upon entering the neural roaming, a psychedelic journey shadowing dreams and loss of logos, viewers are invited to explore one's spatial and temporal experiences in a fictional city.
Outcome
Digital Video(4:10), Bone Conduction
Wearable Headband
(In Development)
Category
Type
Individual Project
Date
Created in Sep2021, Exhibited during May2023-Apr2024
Keywords
Machine Creativity, City Ambience, Visual Culture, Experimental Animation
Techniques
Drawing on Paper, Stop Motion, Blender,
Runaway ML, After Effects, Premiere Pro
Inside the Second Eyelid(Shanghai), 2021
Digital Video, 4:10
Drawing on Paper, 3D Animation, Runaway ML
RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTATION
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Test: Gummo in Shanghai, clay, paper, stop-motion
Test: SPADE-COCO
What is the texture of a city?
What is the texture of Shanghai? How does one form subjective aesthetics of a city?
In 2021, during the global pandemic, I returned to Shanghai for a year. This time allowed me to deeply engage with the city's unique texture and ponder its aesthetic essence. Observing the social dynamics, people's demeanor, and historical layers, I found Shanghai's character marked by humidity, grey shades, a latent sense of violence, and detachment. During the crisis, its skyscrapers stood cold and imposing. Yet, there's a resilient spirit in Shanghai, especially among those who seek meaning in challenging times. This period highlighted the blend of familiarity and alienation for its residents, as well as the blurred lines between virtual and real. Concurrently, a broader crisis in image culture began to assert its influence globally
What is the texture of Shanghai? How does one form subjective aesthetics of a city?
In 2021, during the global pandemic, I returned to Shanghai for a year. This time allowed me to deeply engage with the city's unique texture and ponder its aesthetic essence. Observing the social dynamics, people's demeanor, and historical layers, I found Shanghai's character marked by humidity, grey shades, a latent sense of violence, and detachment. During the crisis, its skyscrapers stood cold and imposing. Yet, there's a resilient spirit in Shanghai, especially among those who seek meaning in challenging times. This period highlighted the blend of familiarity and alienation for its residents, as well as the blurred lines between virtual and real. Concurrently, a broader crisis in image culture began to assert its influence globally
What is creativity?
Is creativity humanistic? Do machines have creativity?
As AI reshapes image culture ontology, the debate on machine creativity has gained prominence. If image authenticity can be attributed to non-human entities, our understanding of creativity and our grasp on what is 'real' must evolve. My aim is to create narrative spaces that blend elegance with controversy, reflecting aspects of contemporary mental crises. I envision a future where visual language is transformed into neural signals by AI, enabling artistic and spiritual experiences to be shared directly between brains, and secretly among machines. In such a world, the concept of authenticity is fundamentally challenged.
Is creativity humanistic? Do machines have creativity?
As AI reshapes image culture ontology, the debate on machine creativity has gained prominence. If image authenticity can be attributed to non-human entities, our understanding of creativity and our grasp on what is 'real' must evolve. My aim is to create narrative spaces that blend elegance with controversy, reflecting aspects of contemporary mental crises. I envision a future where visual language is transformed into neural signals by AI, enabling artistic and spiritual experiences to be shared directly between brains, and secretly among machines. In such a world, the concept of authenticity is fundamentally challenged.
Shomei Tomatsu
Hateruma (from 'The Pencil of the Sun') gelatin silver print, signed and dated in pencil on the reverse, 1971, printed in 1973
Recreated Hateruma in SPADE-COCO
APPROACH & TOOLS
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: PART I
OPENING
Inside the Eyelid
3D-Modeled Inner Eyelid Walls and AI-Enhanced Surreal World
Inside the Eyelid
3D-Modeled Inner Eyelid Walls and AI-Enhanced Surreal World
PART I
Green City Exploration
Pixilation, collage, and 3D modeling techniques used; Character navigates through a digitally and physically surveilled neighborhood; Communication device transforms spiritual experiences into neural signals.
Green City Exploration
Pixilation, collage, and 3D modeling techniques used; Character navigates through a digitally and physically surveilled neighborhood; Communication device transforms spiritual experiences into neural signals.
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: PART II
PART II
Spiritual Realm in 3D
Crafted with 3D modeling, representing the "second eyelid."; Influenced by Shanghai, protagonist explores a diverse room; Elements include urban life, technology, oriental futurism, privacy, and family.
Spiritual Realm in 3D
Crafted with 3D modeling, representing the "second eyelid."; Influenced by Shanghai, protagonist explores a diverse room; Elements include urban life, technology, oriental futurism, privacy, and family.
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: PART III
PART III
Monotony of City Life
Hand-drawn animation depicts a bullet traversing a girl's head; Illustrates the monotony and absurdity of city life; Series concludes with lively musical backdrop and humorous style.
PROPOSAL: A BONE CONDUCTION HEADPHONE
EXHIBITION
VASTLAB Experimental, Los Angeles, CA, 2023
Parsons AMT Moving Image Festival, The New School, New York, NY，2023
Illustration BFA Thesis Show, Stephen Kellen Gallery,2023
Parsons AMT Moving Image Festival, The New School, New York, NY，2023
Illustration BFA Thesis Show, Stephen Kellen Gallery,2023
