3D Animator

Martin Onassis

Worlds exist within worlds, which are successively ripped asunder, in Swedish filmmaker&nbsp;Gustaf Holtenäs awe-inspiring&nbsp;epic of the imagination&nbsp;for Black Midi.Holtenäs has created a brilliant&nbsp;tour de force in different animation styles and live action for the London-based experimental rock band's six-minute track Slow, taken from their new album Cavalcade (released 28th May).It begins with a story in line-drawn 2D animated robot boy determinedly travelling across an extraordinarily detailed futuristic city to face an implacable foe in an extraordinary high-rise&nbsp;- and suffering a horrible fate. Then it switches to a 3D world to a lance-wielding knight, calming walking to a forbidding tower, before he perishes as that 3D universe begins to unravel and corrupt.[imgtoken data:1]The revealed inner workings of the glitching 3D&nbsp;breaks ito what seems like realistic live action, and the staid life of a woman who appears to be the creator of these previous characters and their adventures. But when she opts to confront an alien invasion force that is approaching Earth,&nbsp;she also&nbsp;suffers a grisly fate.This repetitive, 'Russian doll' structure of the video is only part of the pleasure of a work&nbsp;that Gustaf Holtenäs has drawn from a&nbsp;wide range of influences, from fantasy illustration and literature. The eclectic nature of these influences - often referencing artwork&nbsp;from past centuries -&nbsp;informs a visual aesthetic which reflects the bold, experimental nature of the music. It also sets the scene for the climax of the piece - a&nbsp;blockbuster of cosmic destruction - and rebirth...[imgtoken data:2]Stockholm-based&nbsp;Holtenäs has been working in 2D animation for some years, but recently directed the experimental short film <a href="https://vimeo.com/469276380" target="_blank">Aries</a> for Swedish band Holy - and co-directed two&nbsp;imposing&nbsp;3D animated&nbsp;for Swedish organist and composer Anna von Hausswolff&nbsp;with his brother Ludwig&nbsp;Holtenäs.&nbsp;He was&nbsp;approached by Black Midi in February, and asked if he could deliver the video for the six-minute track Slow by the beginning of April."I wanted to create something crazy with like every technique I’ve learned over the years,"&nbsp;Holtenäs tells&nbsp;Promonews. "Also because Black Midi wanted the video in such a short time, it seemed impossible to make a six minute hand-animated video in a decent quality. Because that art form is the most time consuming.[imgtoken data:3]"So the idea of creating a lot of different visuals was something that was accomplishable, but also made it more interesting. I felt that the nerdy reddit/4chan fans of Black Midi could appreciate a really complex and paradoxical narrative. Cause I sure do. The story is like a mix of Lars von Trier's&nbsp;Melancholia&nbsp;and Nolan's&nbsp;Inception."A stunning achievement.[imgtoken data:4]

Martin Onassis

3D Animator

Videos featuring Martin Onassis

2021 (1)

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