Motion Capture Avatar and 3D environment, in collaboration with Costas Kazantzis
This project investigates the symbolism, history, and myths surrounding the underground bodies of water forming the cenote ring in Yucatan, Mexico. It shifts across painting, performance, moving image, and installation.
The Cenote Ring unfolds through live visuals, spatial sound, and spoken word to explore the collision of belief systems, cosmic impact, and ecological fragility. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies such as real-time 3D editing, motion capture, and generative sound synthesis, the performance transforms the space into a living, reactive environment.
The live motion capture environment designed by Costas Kazantzis, performed by Pierre Babbage, with live music by Montañera, and a spatial soundscape designed by Bon Music Vision, incorporated field recordings, real-time API data of near-Earth objects, and generative synthesis. The 3D environment of an asteroid is inspired by the series of paintings developed by Paola Estrella, features an avatar of a hybrid creature, and is part of the multimedia performance of The Cenote Ring.
The Asteroid
Read more:
-FAD Magazine: ‘Collaboration of artists, musicians, and performers at the heart of the new avant-garde’, by Meike Brunkhorst.
-Art Plugged: In conversation with Paola Estrella.
Collaborators
Audio - Bon Music Vision
3D Environment and Avatar in Unreal - Costas Kazantzis
Music and Voice - Montañera
Performance and Movement - Pierre Babbage
Spoken Word - Paola Estrella
3D Scans - Bon Music Vision Costumes - Gabrielle Venguer
Editing - Paola Estrella
Technical Support - Iker Orozco
Camera Assistant - Helga Dorothea Fannon
Drone Filming - Israel Casas
Underwater Filming - Benjamin Estrella Contreras
Narration - Jose Chi, Paola Estrella,
Benjamin Estrella Gabilondo, Karla Estrella
Costume design - Gabrielle Venguer
Lighting design - Beril Yavuz
Director of videography: Bahia Ayos
Photographer: Stylian Tastsoglou
Inspired by John Muir, Maria Popova, Charles Darwin, Ashley King, Carlos Castaneda, Jacobo Grinberg.
In conversation with Pita Arreola
Supported by
Arts Council England, Arte Lagos, Richmond Council, Stone Nest, Orleans House Gallery, and HS Projects.