… before we disappear explores our relationship with technology, combining expressive charcoal drawing with digital animation and sound design to create a distorted, sensory experience.
“The Machine invades earth and sky, goes to the depths of the sea, and deep into the desert without fear of disturbing the morning air. We are going faster and faster, without the time to even take a last sigh before we disappear. In this machine era, art is the miracle.”
- Georges Rouault
… before we disappear responds to Georges Rouault’s text Stella Vespertina, in which the artist encourages us to take a step back from the alluring world of fast technology to reflect on our humanity. Exploring this concept, Leo Crane has captured the human figure with the texture and sensuality of charcoal, before immersing us into a distorted, digital world.
After obtaining an MA (Distinction) in Computer Animation, Leo trained in observational figure painting with legendary artist Maggi Hambling CBE. Over several years, he has been developing a body of work that merges physical and digital media to explore our relationship with technology. … before we disappear is a collaboration with Roy Joseph Butler, whose nude figure serves as the catalyst for the expressive portrayal of human existence.
The process of creating this work began with nine five-minute charcoal drawings of Roy posing in the round. These were digitised, animated, and combined with abstract sequences of charcoal mark-making and procedural animation. To enhance the experience, Leo incorporated a sound design that blends distorted machine noises with a moment of birdsong.
For more information on Leo's work, visit www.leocrane.co.uk or follow @leocrane77 on Instagram.
