Functionless - An Interactive 3D-Generation Tool

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About Functionless

Functionless is an interactive 3D-generation tool exploring how surreal household items can become when we imagine their form separated from their function. The primary element of this installation is the connection between the interactive software and the custom analog controller that enables users to craft their own personalized designs. An evolving gallery showcases past creations, inviting and inspiring new users. A real-size stool sculpture (designed in Functionless) is fabricated, blurring the boundaries between the physical and the digital; giving a spotlight to usually forgotten household items.

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The Creators

Wenyi Zhang Instagram

Wenyi Zhang is a technical artist and creative developer who navigates the realms of game development and CG production with deft use of computational tools tailored for artistic innovation. She holds an MFA in Computer Arts from the School of Visual Arts and a BFA from Renmin University of China. Her professional journey includes working as a VFX artist at the Harvard Chinese Media Art Lab, where she made substantial contributions to experiential heritage projects. Zhang strives to merge the reality of artistic challenges with the virtuality of computational tools, weaving technology and creativity into seamless experiences. Specializing in real-time technology, she wields her expertise in Houdini and Unreal Engine to sculpt procedural solutions and forge efficiency-enhancing tools.

Andres Salazar Instagram

Andres Salazar is a Colombian-American designer and 3D artist and enthusiast based in Astoria, New York. His work highlights the magic of the mundane, blending photorealistic 3D creations with surrealist visuals, celebrating the often-overlooked beauty in quotidian environments. Fascinated by procedural software like Houdini and the design movements of the 20th century, Andres inhabits the juncture of visual effects and design. In Colombia, he worked as a freelancer in production design for TV and commercials with clients like Netflix, Rappi, and Olmeca. He also created animations and designs for clients such as Johanna Ortiz and Casa Ciclo. Andres did his BA in Design in La Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia and later completed his MFA in Computer Arts at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) where he received a merit-based scholarship as well as two academic excellence awards.

Credits

Technical Direction: Wenyi Zhang

Creative Direction: Andres Salazar

Music: Javier Cruz

Ambient Music: Daniel Finn

Branding: Jimena Martinez

Instructors: Anney Bonney, Javier Cruz, India Lombardi-Bello, Adam Meyers

Advisors: Paul Esteves, Daniel Finn, Ben Forest, Michael Gold

Special Thanks: Manuel Casasola, Michael Dondero, Mark Ingle, Christopher Kopic, Luis Navarro, Milos Paripovic, Mortiz Schwind, Jose Vargas, Mike Wang