For artist Meiya Lin, I was commissioned to create a 3D scene and animation featuring a surreal Japanese garden. My task involved developing 3D models of inflatable bonsai trees, rocks, and bushes. The intention was to evoke a sense of artificiality, where the organic elements in the scene looked overtly plastic and manufactured, resembling inflatable objects.
The modeled bonsai trees, rocks, and bushes have exaggerated forms and smooth, glossy textures, mimicking the look of synthetic materials. I incorporated creases and seam lines into the models to emphasize the inflatable nature of the objects.
Once the models were created, I arranged them in a serene, yet uncanny Zen garden scene. With carefully raked strokes in the sand, rocks and plants. Lastly, video footage of real-life models, captured by the artist herself, was seamlessly integrated into the scene.