Author: Batman

Looking Outwards – 02

Michael Hansmeyer is an architect who specializes in computational design. His projects range from entire theatre sets to very detailed lighting designs that are entirely visualized by a computer. I admire Hansmeyer’s work because it allows him to think of his architecture as a set of processes to generate objects. One example is his work on the set for Mozart’s opera in 2018. In this stage set he focuses on a grotto design in which the idea is created by the computer after he defines a set of processes the computer needs to go through to create a design. The algorithm he uses is within a CAD program where he can set rules and limits for the computer to follow. Within these CAD programs there’s some limits in what can be designed by the computer and the amount of information the designer has to give the program initially. As a result the artist’s sensibilities manifest in the outcome of the computer’s processes. This makes his work have a unique character that not only describes the computer’s abilities but also Hansmeyer’s creative bias.
Link: https://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/zauberfloete

LO: Animation

I’m really interested in animation so I’ve been really inspired by shows like Love Death + Robots for their many different styles of animation. Each episode consists of a new story as well as a completely new animation style. This aspect is intriguing as I think it’s more unique and difficult to create as they can’t reuse characters and digital assets for multiple episodes, unlike a show like Family Guy that has been going on for over a decade. Each episode is actually created by different crews from many different countries. There are 26 episodes and thus 26 different teams working to create their own unique product. I’m not sure exactly how long the episodes took to make but they are pretty short, usually under 20 minutes, so I think each episode was maybe a month or two in animation, after the script was finalized. I think a majority of the teams used an “off-the-shelf” software to create their episodes but also groups that had a more specific animation style might’ve had to create and maybe adapt a software to work better on them. Each creator team has inspiration from their own background and experiences that really shine through when the episodes are put side by side. I don’t think that the show is planning to go further but I’m sure each team has been excited to make the episodes as they’re short and can be really well thought out.

Episode from Love Death + Robots. The characters work in their environments really well and do a good job animating them into reality.

Link: Creators: Tim Miller, David Fincher