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Computer illustrator Tsubasa combines reality and
fantasy to create powerful images that evoke an immediate and complex reaction
from the viewer. Pushing us to walk the line between desire and tantalizing
fear, his art is incredibly rich and compelling, and it remains with the
viewer long after we've looked away. We spoke with Tsubasa about the origin
of his ideas and their translation into art.
Sez G: Is your background in illustration
or computer art?
Tsubasa: My education is in Architecture (during pre-computer, hand-drawing
days...a long time ago). I fell into computer design 15 years ago when my
boss at the time sat me down in front of a Mac Plus and said "Figure out
how to do it." I don't have any real illustration capabilities aside from
on the computer. I can't draw!
Sez G: Many of your images are an amazing blend of reality and fantasy.
How much of it is photography and how much is computer generated? Can you
walk me through the process of their creation?
Tsubasa: The images that are "portraits" of real people are a combination
of digital photography and 3D-modeled CG (kind of like sculpting on the
computer).
The portrait starts with a simple digital photo of the subject. That photo
is then brought into the 3D modeling app and the CG parts of the image are
modeled, textured and rendered. The last step is combining the digital photo
with the CG parts in Photoshop. It's a fairly straightforward process. The
original photos are usually pretty funny to look at after seeing the finished
pieces, because the subject is usually in my living room with the TV, couch
and normal house stuff behind them.
Sez G: Your settings evoke hooks, blades
and barbed wire. Yet they envelope the bodies in a smooth, shiny, sensual
and erotic way. Tell me about this juxtaposition.
Tsubasa: I don't really make a conscious effort to exploit that kind of
relationship between the harsh and the sensual. It just kind of happens.
It probably has something to do with the "there is not shadow without light...no
good without evil" concept. I really just try to visualize whatever is in
my head and hope that someone gets something out of it.
Sez G: Your characters live in a razor sharp, dangerous and even terrifying
world. It's like science fiction - except somehow they always seem very
human. How do you maintain this visual intimacy with the model or character
and keep them from appearing hollow or robotic?
Tsubasa: "Terrifying" is an interesting word. The
use of it really exemplifies how these images can be interpreted in so many
different ways. I think that diversity in reactions is a good thing. I've
always been a fan of the robotic erotic arts (i.e. Sorayama), but I am not
really that good at doing robotic work myself. I think some of the forms
have a robotic feel but maintain a slightly organic quality that maybe relates
to the human side of things.
Sez G: Do you have a corset and shoe fetish? Or are they just visual
inspiration?
Tsubasa: I do have a fetish for corsets and heels when worn. But not by
themselves. A woman with a great set of legs in stilettos is definitely
my favorite. What is more important, perhaps, is what I have been told about
the way a woman feels when she is wearing heels and/or a corset.
Sez G: Have you ever made any of your artistic fashions into real "clothing?"
Tsubasa: Not yet, but I have talked to a couple of people about fabricating
some of the shoes from my images as sculptural objects.
Sez G: You've said that the internet was a true catalyst for your art.
How does your work translate in a gallery space?
Tsubasa: Most people who have seen prints of my work in a gallery and have
been to my website comment that the gallery experience is completely different.
Website images don't carry the same kind of detail and size that prints
do. I think people feel that they can get much more intimate with prints
because they can get closer and see more detail and gain a better understand
of what an image is.
My larger prints are usually printed on a slightly metallic photographic
paper that gives a really nice sheen to the images. You can't get that from
a computer monitor. On the other hand, my website has nearly every image
I have ever made. You can't get that in a gallery (well, I suppose you could…).
Sez G: Your 3.5 minute animation, Reflection
at the Speed of Light, is amazing. What was the creation process like
for you? When you watch it, do you feel that your art (and the contents
of your head) are that much closer to reality? It seemed almost tangible…
Tsubasa: That one was a real learning process. My computer is not incredibly
fast and rendering frames at 30 fps is very time consuming. Animation is
kind of a love-hate thing. I love the results and people's reactions to
the results, but making them is an ordeal. You concept, maybe storyboard
(I usually don't), start the modeling and animation process, render the
frames out (5400 for 3 minutes), then comp and add titling and music. And
along the way, revise and revise again. I have huge admiration and respect
for the folks who do feature length, hi-end animation films.
Personally, when I watch my own animation, I see the mistakes or things
I could have done better if I had just spent a few more hours here or there.
I would much rather watch people who are watching the animation than the
animation itself. As far as reality goes, I think in a weird way, the animations
do bring the work closer to reality if you believe that what you perceive
is reality. As an artist, if what you are making is invoking some kind of
real emotional response, then I think it has become a kind of reality and
is successful.
Sez G: What's coming up for you in the future?
Tsubasa: I'm still working on images, but I've slowed down just a bit.
I used to do an image every week. Now it's about 1 per month. I just went
to Berlin for the German Fetish Ball (they played some of my animation work
there) and am contemplating hitting Erotica in November. In October, I am
planning on doing Dragon-con in Atlanta and somewhere between all of that,
I hope to get a small, picture book going. I am also in the very beginning
stages of a third animation...argh, let the nightmare begin.
And the viewer will reap the benefits! To learn more about Tsubasa, go to
www.katmekat.com/tsubasa/.
Tsubasa - by Sez G.
