PLEIX

PLEIX THE FILMS
"Pleix is a virtual community of digital artists based in Paris. Some of us are 3D artists, some others are musicians or graphic designers. This website is the perfect place to share our latest creations." Taken from the website www.Pleix.net February 18th, 2007.

Contact:
leti@pleix.net


The Itsu film was part of the Creative Review / Warp competition.



Several videos created by Pleix convey virtual modernity with a message. They can be intriguing and disturbing creating an allure and an addiction amongst the viewer. The video entitle "E-baby" Produced by Pleix / Chased by Cowboys. Music: Bleip. 2003. evokes these emotions. However, why do the artists behind Pleix want to evoke these emotions? What is their purpose? And how does it affect artists and my art?

Pleix uses two main characters in this digitally created video. There is a baby who takes on the role as an e-baby. This electronically created baby allows a “real” viewer to have a virtual experience with a simulated infant. The baby seems to be incubated and the viewer in the video is able to place their hands through two wholes. Their hands are then enclosed into two black gloves. These black gloves give an eerie feel to the video, almost as if black is used to symbolize something malevolent. If this is the case the simulated viewer who has placed their hands into the incubator and is now touching or caressing the baby may be seen as evil.

It is under the assumption of the audience that the virtual viewer in “E-baby”, has purchased a restrained amount of time to spend time with the virtual baby. Because the title tells the audience that the baby is not real and that time is limited the virtual viewer has either some sort of virtual game. The virtual viewer then proceeds to caress the baby and becomes intrigued by its humanistic qualities. The audience also becomes intrigued by the baby’s appeal.

However, the baby’s image begins to blur and fade out indicating that it is dying or game time is coming to an end. This harsh virtual scenario is intended to evoke sadness amongst the virtual viewer and the audience. This in turn creates a feeling of intrigue and addiction to try and stop the baby from disappearing. In a sense the audience begins caring for this virtual baby that does not really exist. Perhaps the concept of the virtual world becoming more of a reality in modern society is the message Pleix is trying to unveil to the audience.

Furthermore, how does this concept affect artists as well as myself? Pleix uses an innovative artistic technique to display their talent and concepts in today’s technologically driven world. The artistic virtually based creators are able to poke fun of the modern technologically-crazed, money-driven society, by using art as an outlet but also by ironically using technology to display their message. Other artists can use Pleix’s technique as a model of what new age art is, that being technology as its canvas. Artists can also refer to Pleix’s traditional technique of poking fun of the industrial or business run society through the means of art. Messages through the medium of art have long since been a great way for artists to express and rebel against aspects of their society they disagree with.