Tools: Maya, AfterEffects

Date: 2021

The black figures represent real-life individuals, while the semi-transparent blue figures represent virtual individuals.In this world, the actual and virtual are integrated into an interchanging whole. In the past, one might only dare pretend to be glamorous on the internet, yet unwilling to go out and meet other in person. But if with the aid of technology, one may change their appearance at will, and look as real. Would this be the cure to many of our anxieties resulting from our appearance, or are we ever the more losing ourselves in blind pursuit of the trend?

When reality is reduced to background and virtuality becomes reality; when viewing is no longer definite, its authenticity no longer absolute; when material is replaced by virtuality, how do we establish our cognition of the world? How should we define reality?

The scene ended with a black screen and the sound of knocking on glass, as if someone is hammering to get out but in vain. This signifies the consequence of the blur between the virtual and the real world: when we have become over-reliant on technology, we are at the meantime holding our power out to mega tech corporates. They eventually would have total dominance over us. When we are wiped from the virtual world, would it become the same as disappearing from the real world? Would anyone notice so?

This ongoing project needs further modification, and serves as a practice for 3D modeling. However, if I were to redo it, there are other ways I would like to employ to explore the same topic so as to better convey the concept to the audience, such as filming combined with animation.