Takeshi Murata's Uncanny Images Sit Somewhere Between Pixar And Surrealism

When it comes to rendering the world in 3D using computer software there are two ends of the spectrum: big-time Hollywood-style productions and video games—where CGI creates fantastical worlds that viewers can immerse themselves in (even though they still look like they’re computer-generated). You have the more lo-fi stuff that kids can do in their bedrooms, and then there’s everything in between.

Juxtaposing those two worlds is Creator Takeshi Murata‘s latest exhibition “Synthesizers,” currently in New York at the Salon 94 gallery. Similar to his previous exhibition “Get Your Ass To Mars” in San Francisco, Murata has created computer-generated environments, which he’s either built himself or bought readymades to fill in the gaps. Like a lot of animators he’s self-taught, learning the craft from YouTube tutorials and online forums.

He then creates images that have a peculiarity that hovers somewhere between surrealism, real life, and early Pixar. Looking at these scenes empty of human life but showing traces of its presence, you can’t help feeling that something’s amiss. The chill of the uncanny jolts through you as you look at these hollow scenes, strewn with the detritus of modern life, that echo both video game environments and the tutorial videos that Murata learnt from.

Condos, 2012

Deep Blue, 2012

Electrolyte, 2012

Baby, 2012

3 AM, 2012

Bullseye, 2012

Learn more about Murata’s process in our behind-the-scenes documentary below.

“Synthesizers” runs September 13-October 20 at Salon 94 Bowery, 243 Bowery New York, NY 10002

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