Studio: Jakub Cech Computer Generated Images

Designer / Architect: Amal Hanafi

Personal / Commissioned: Commissioned Project

Location: Rio de Janeiro Brazil

CGI: An Artistic Medium
A partnership with world renowned architect Amal Hanafi, The Beldi Project required giving life to spaces where CGI has been prioritized before photography. I spent a week in Rio absorbing the emotions of the building, then produced a series of images that demonstrated its beauty and functionality.
As a result, there has been an Art Exhibition and 12 minutes Short Film “CGI: An Artistic Medium” created with strong beliefs in CGI.
I believe that CGI is an artistic tool. Just like photography is, just like painting is and just like sculpting is. So far, CGI has been mostly used for commercial purposes and has been very technical, which it still is. In my eyes, it is another tool that can reflect artistic soul. I believe that one of the biggest issues is that people don’t know what CGI is. Running into a random person, it is very hard and imaginary to explain. Many times simply perceived as photographs. I have had this belief for many years but now found a platform that has strong enough story and visibility to share it. Not only in CGI but in Architecture, Art and many different fields too. I would love every artist to be able to show what CGI is and believe that because of technical advancements and enlightenment, in couple of years there might be recognition of CGI as an Art Form and general knowledge of the process and efforts behind. I believe that CGI is going to be in museums in couple of years.

The film conveys a story of creative collaboration between architect Amal Hanafi and CGI artist Jakub Cech that led to an Art Exhibition of CGI images. Film portrays general process and efforts behind CGI while striving to bring general knowledge and recognition of CGI as an Art form for broad audience.
Story spans across multiple locations in Slovakia and Rio De Janeiro. Filmed by UK duo Raspberry & Jam and live Orchestra scores by Tomas Koppl.

3ds Max and Corona rendering engine were used. Many materials were scanned and all materials were created from scratch. Custom 3d objects modelled in 3ds Max, vegetation growth in SpeedTree and cloths simulations in Marvelous Designer. Using custom color mapping, lighting and techniques presented in my talks.