by wirefaces reconstructs perceptions of identity
in his last illustrative wire face series, Federico Babina is abstracted Pictures of 19 cultural icons, which are later revived by Daniel Giordano. The project is a continuation of Babina’s fascination with elemental geometry and vibrant colors, and her continuing exploration of a type of portraiture that, through the simplification and identification of the basic elements of a face, reveals layers of ambiguity without lose the essence of figurative representation.
The minimalist illustrations that capture the essence of their human counterparts with the most basic elements, shadows, and voids, were initially created as animated digital sculptures by Babina. By extending her work beyond the 2D plane, the pieces were realized as 3D balance. sculptures made predominantly of wire and multimedia by Giordano.
all images by Federico Babina
Daniel Giordano sculpts the digital animations of federico babina
‘Wirefaces is a line that connects ideas and shapes, a line that unwinds and connects fantasy and reality’ writes Federico Babina. In his new project, the architect and graphic designer explores how minimalist visual expressions of a different face can still capture the essence of identity, clearly conveying it through a new universal language. In fact, the optical ambiguity of the compositions investigates ideas of perception, inviting the viewer to break down and reassemble the different shapes in his imagination to complete the portrait.
His digital sculptures pay homage to the unique characteristics of figures like Frida Kahlo, David Bowie, and Pablo Picasso, with portraits devoid of matter and infused with shadows and dynamic voids that allude to unrevealed expressive nuances. The compositions, set in motion by a combination of rhythmic forms and moderate movements, further evoke a subtle and ordered poetic universe to reveal the identity of the 19 iconic protagonists.
“Between a messy rigor and a realistic fantasy, the viewer will be able to untangle the senses through the use of geometries and colors, get lost following that thin line that evolves and stretches in space like a suspended thread, to then find the essential signs of the portrait. and visualize the resemblance and personality of the protagonist’, concludes Federico Babina.
project information:
Name: Wirefaces: Balanced Portraits
conceptual illustrator, animator: Federico Babina
3D artist: daniel giordano
designboom has received this project from our DIY shipments feature, where we invite our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: ravail khan | design boom
