Render Network Grant Spotlight: Annibale Siconolfi
In the world of 3D art, Annibale Siconolfi, also known as Inward, stands out for his intricate models of dystopian cities and futuristic landscapes. An artist and architect from Italy, Annibale’s journey began in architecture and music production, both deeply influencing his unique style. Transitioning into 3D art, he explores themes like global warming, overpopulation, and urban futurism, crafting immersive visual narratives. His architectural background and love for science fiction is inspired by authors like Philip K. Dick and films like ‘Blade Runner’, shape his creations.
Annibale’s unique style has led to collaborations with renowned DJ, Anyma, creating stunning visual experiences for immersive concerts, including graphics for Anyma’s Sphere tour releasing later this year.
Q: You started your career as an architect and music producer. What motivated you to transition into the field of 3D art, and how did your background in architecture influence your artistic style?
“The transition to 3D art was a natural progression from my architectural studies and music production. Architecture taught me the importance of structure, space, and composition, which are crucial elements in my 3D art. My background in music production, on the other hand, has influenced my approach to rhythm and flow within my visual compositions, allowing me to create dynamic and immersive environments.” — Annibale
Annibale’s architectural training provided him with a deep understanding of spatial relationships and structural integrity, which are both important for designing believable dystopian cities. You can see the principles of shading, proportion, and scale that he learned in architecture in his 3D models, contributing to the creation of detailed and realistic urban landscapes that align with his futuristic vision.
The works often explores themes like global warming, overpopulation, and pollution. He incorporates these sensitive issues into his art by creating visually compelling scenes that highlight their potential consequences.
Storytelling is a key element in his approach, as he aims to evoke narratives that reflect on current global challenges and future scenarios. By integrating storytelling into his art, Annibale engages viewers on a deeper level, encouraging them to think critically about the underlying themes and messages in his creations.
“I incorporate these themes by creating visually striking and thought-provoking scenes that highlight the potential consequences of these issues. My goal is to raise awareness and prompt viewers to reflect on the impact of human activities on the environment and urban spaces. Through my art, I hope to inspire a sense of urgency and a call to action to address these global challenges.”
Q: Can you walk us through your creative process when starting a new project? How do you go from concept to the finished piece?
Annibale: My creative process usually begins with a vision or a sketch of a concept. I then move to 3D software to start modeling and experimenting with different elements. I render separate maps for various effects, such as depth and glare, and composite them together using software like Photoshop and After Effects. This method allows me to refine and enhance the final piece, ensuring that it aligns with my initial vision.
Annibale doesn’t use references for his personal projects and prefers to experiment directly in 3D. We asked him how this approach helped him develop his style.
“Not using references allows me to rely on my imagination and memories, fostering a unique and personal style. This approach encourages experimentation and innovation, as I can explore new techniques and ideas without being constrained by existing visuals. . .”
Annibale’s workflow relies on Cinema 4D for modeling, OctaneRender for path-traced rendering, and Photoshop and After Effects for post-processing. These tools are crucial as they support the efficient creation of detailed and complex scenes, enable real-time adjustments, and ensure high-quality final outputs.
“Essential tools in my workflow include Cinema 4D for modeling, OctaneRender for real-time rendering, and Photoshop and After Effects for post-processing. These tools enable me to create detailed and complex scenes efficiently, allowing for real-time adjustments and high-quality final outputs.”
Q: Among all the projects you’ve worked on, do you have a personal favorite or one that you’re particularly proud of? What makes it stand out to you?
Annibale: One of my favorite projects is “Hidden City,” a piece that embodies my vision of a dystopian yet peaceful future. The interplay of light and shadow within the circular structure creates a harmonious balance, representing the duality of chaos and serenity. This piece stands out because of its intricate details and the sense of depth it conveys.
Q: The Render Network excels at giving artists the power to quickly render their animations fast, cost-effectively, and at pretty much any resolution. Can you share your experience using Render Network? How has it impacted your workflow and the quality of your art?
Annibale: The Render Network has significantly improved my workflow by allowing me to render high-quality animations quickly and cost-effectively. This has enabled me to focus more on the creative aspects of my work rather than the technical limitations, resulting in higher quality and more detailed pieces.
Q: With advancements in technology and services like the Render Network, solo artists now have the tools to compete with large studios. How do you see this shift impacting the future of the digital art industry, and what opportunities does it create for individual artists?
Annibale: This shift democratizes the art industry, providing solo artists with access to powerful tools that were previously only available to large studios. It levels the playing field, allowing individual artists to produce high-quality work and gain recognition. This creates more opportunities for diverse and innovative voices to emerge in the digital art world.
Q: We are starting to see more immersive venues and experiences popping up across the globe as well as more demand for immersive content on AR/VR devices. Some of these require 16k resolution, and Apple Vision Pro may need 16k stereo to be fully immersive. How do you think this would impact the usage of the Render Network and have you experimented with such high-res rendering?
Annibale believes that the growing demand for high-resolution immersive content will boost the use of the Render Network due to its powerful computational capabilities. Though he hasn’t extensively experimented with 16k rendering, he is optimistic about technological advancements enhancing immersive experiences and supporting artists’ creativity in the future.
“The demand for high-resolution immersive content will likely increase the use of the Render Network, as it provides the necessary computational power to handle such intensive tasks.
While I have not yet experimented extensively with 16k rendering, I believe that advancements in technology will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, enabling even more immersive and detailed experiences for audiences.
The future looks promising, and I’m excited to see how these tools will continue to evolve and support the creativity of artists worldwide.”
Through Annibale’s innovative techniques and storytelling, he engages audiences and addresses pressing global issues. As a pioneering artist in Render Network’s first grant cohort, he continues to push the boundaries of digital art, inspiring and challenging us to envision the future of our urban environments.
What’s Next?
Annibale is exploring integrating more simulations and effects into his renders and is exploring creating for new mediums, including producing art for Anyma’s tour at the Sphere, with its remarkable 32K display.
“I aim to integrate more elaborate FX simulations into my work, even though I typically focus on evoking emotions through composition.
Currently, I am working on a visual for Anyma’s show. The fun part is adapting it to the various formats of the different shows, which involves modifying and adding details at each step.The fun part is adapting to various formats and tweaking details at each step.”
Annibale is a Render Network Foundation grant recipient. Artists wanting to push the boundaries of next generation 3D media can apply for a grant at www.renderfoundation.com/grants.
