nobumichi asai explores the future of face hacking

nobumichi asai explores the future of face hacking
all images courtesy of nobumichi asai

japanese CGI expert nobumichi asai and a team of creative developers have visualized a real-time face tracking & projection installation they imagine as the future of ‘face hacking’. as two human models sit in the center of a dimly-lit stage, vibrant lightscapes appear on the surface of their skin created through 3D projection mapping, rapidly changing in geometry, style and size.

skeleton motifs, robotic mechanisms and doll-like makeup is technologically applied to their faces, transforming them into completely new reinterpretations of the human form. through the union of technology and art, virtual and reality, asai has discovered the potential of digitally rewritting what we traditionally understand the face to be.

face hacking / real-time face tracking & 3D projection mapping
video courtesy of handbrace

the human face is transformed from its normal features to those of a wild cat

robotic mechanisms are digitally applied to the surface of the skin

the two models reveal a skull-like pattern on their faces

digital projections are mapped onto the two faces

doll-like makeup is revealed through real-time face tracking & 3D projection mapping turn human faces into virtual hacks.

project credits:

producer / technical director — pics: nobumichi asai [omote]
makeup artist / face director: hiroto kuwahara [omote]
technical director / system architect — transit digital works: paul lacroix [omote]
CG producer – film: toshihiko sakata
CG director — film: kazuhiro kobayashi
CG designer — pictrego: kentaro koyaku
CG designer: shintaro noda
CG designer: naofumi yamamoto
colorist — mcray: kazuhiro nakamura
producer/story writer: junya hiraoka
production manager — story writer: yuto nagashio
production manager — pics: yae doi