Technology and nature blend together seamlessly to create a breezy and soothingly upbeat vibe in 1st Ave Machine's latest creation, SIXES LAST, a music video for the artist Alias, who is currently signed with record label Anticon. Taken off the musicians album MUTED, the video debuted at RESFEST in September 2005 in the Cinema Electronica Showcase.
Blurring the line between fantasy and reality, SIXES LAST explores the beauty of nature and human innovation. A visually stunning piece taking into consideration both the importance of color and shapes, 1st Ave Machine focused on the integration of the artificial and organic.
The video opens with sleek white worm-like shapes zipping in and out of various donut-shaped forms growing along the side of a tree like contemporary-styled ornaments. The documentary-inspired piece continues with its lustrous technology-infused nature theme as the heart of its visual aesthetic.
"It is about is how artificiality is creeping into the modern day world," said director Arvind Palep. "We were looking at a merge between synthetic biology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and what could spawn from them."
Essentially creating an alien nature, the video dabbles in the ideas of evolution and undiscovered terrain. Viewers are able to explore uncharted plant life forms compliments of the imaginative minds of 1st Ave. Machines and New York's botanical gardens. Given complete creative freedom, the company lensed the entire concept.
The hook up with the label came to be after producer Serge Patzak and 1st Ave Machine director Arvind Palep realized Alias' unique style and ambition matched their own.
"Alias is doing independent work that's pushing boundaries," said Patzak. "We felt that's what we were about so we wanted to keep a dialogue with them."
1st Ave Machine USA Inc. (www.1stavemachine.com) is a NYC-based CGI VFX/animation boutique and production company working in the advertising, broadcast, music video and feature film industries.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
