The Duality of Physical and Digital Materials
Virtual materials, Chronosphere | Envisions
We increasingly travel between a physical and digital reality. This raises questions about the dominance of the material versus the immaterial. This polarity, as well as the border area between the two, is an extremely interesting area for Envisions as a lab driven by experimental research into new applications of materials.
Envisions observes, both from industry partners and according to and visitors to its exhibitions and symposia, that physically made materials are often perceived as more “authentic” than digitally processed materials. But where is this tipping point and can a digitally processed material have a similarly authentic character? What is digitally possible within material development that is impossible in physical reality and vice versa?
Together with Envisions, the Chronosphere research examined what the most suitable materials are for volumetric video, as well as how these materials relate to humans.
For the research, “avatars” were created, each responding to a textile technique. Because flexible materials would be the most interesting, we chose to focus on textiles.
During the research, it emerged that small details of the fabrics are less sharply highlighted, compared to regular video. In Envisions’ work, the materiality of a design and the visual aspects such as sheen, transparency and relief are very important. The colours and relief emerge in the recordings, but the other material properties can be honed in post-production.
In processing the recordings, the added value of volumetric video technology was investigated. The 4D technique is well suited for capturing physical and dynamic movements of objects that are more difficult to simulate. The technique captures the small nuances in movements. The force, tension, movement of joints and folds of textiles are reproduced very realistically. So the power of volumetric video is in the movements, versus small details.
Made possible by Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, Metropool Regio Eindhoven, 4DR Studios and Effenaar.
