Artist Research - Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham

During my research of CGI and its use in films, I came across Chris Cunningham's work which incorporates and uses CGI to create very strange and sinister pieces. Cunningham is famous for having worked with special effects on numerous films and music videos, particularly with prominent musicians such as Aphex Twin, Bjork and Madonna. He generally seems to use a variety of media from CGI effects through to robotics and prosthetics. 

Rubber Johnny - Chris Cunningham & Aphex Twin

"Rubber Johnny" is based around the wheelchair bound character which the film is named after who is shown being interviewed and babbling incomprehensibly and later the film shows his raving and performing tricks on his wheelchair. The whole short film is filmed in an infrared view helping to add to the uneasiness and disturbing nature of the film.

 The animation Rubber Johnny is a collaboration piece with Aphex Twin creating the jumpy, distorted soundtrack to the short film but also helping to time the characters movements and expressions.

The way CGI is used is to give the impression that "Rubber Johnny" is bouncing around the room and also to give the impression of his limbs stretching erratically.

When Johnny's face presses up against the glass in time to the music, rather than using CGI, Cunningham chose to have the head be created from prosthetics and bits of rubber to create a more disturbing, realistic effect.