Lab Notes #002
A raw look into current workflows, experiments, and creative collisions.
The Trigger
It all started with the idea of body distortions and facial feature displacements. Pushing tools like Flux and GPT 2 to achieve a less polished human look without losing macro details. When it came to the video, I knew I wanted sound, but no dialogue. Inspired by Dadaist monologues, gibberish, and jazz scatting, I chose a nonsensical route and wondered: What if this was contagious?
I’ve been in a "body horror-esque" phase lately, as you can tell from my previous work, but it’s hard to deny that visual artist Pipilotti Rist was somewhere in the back of my brain inspiring me, too.
Pipilotti Rist
The Process
The creation of the video was iterative and exploratory. It wasn't until I landed on specific poses, angles, and environmental scenes that the "aha!" moment finally struck.
Correction: I said I was using “Flux.” I did, but that’s not the name of node tools. It’s Flora.
I used Flora. Click here to try (affiliate)
The theme dictated the visual sequence and inspired a secondary character caught in a complex predicament: "What do I do?" What is the "normal" reaction to this stretched reality? I’ve always found that a stoic or deadpan stare creates a perfect balance and grounds the more abstract elements.
Regarding the audio, I stuck with pure ambient sound. I didn't want to add music that might define the mood as strictly "comedy" or "horror." I wanted it to feel like a moment that is simply happening…one I want the viewer to witness. Based on the mixed reactions I’ve received, I’m glad I made that choice.
The Result
The result of "Situational Scenario 1" led directly to Scenario 2, which was inspired by the community’s theories on what the secondary character would do next. It made sense to continue the "strange" like an ongoing plague, allowing me to explore more characters and relatable, day-to-day moments you might relate to.
What is this evolving into? An experimental series of interconnected vignettes. While each situation stands alone, they coalesce into a single thematic arc: Your strange is contagious.
Each video is performing well on Instagram; I think the algorithms are finally on my side (for now). Now to work on scenario 3.
The Weekly Log
A record of recent studio activity and forthcoming developments.
01/ INDEX
The Big Back Room continues its experimental development.
Choose to be ABSRRD. Podcast interview and my story with host Mike G.
New profile pic. Human verification lol.
Proud to announce I’m an Adobe Premiere Ambassador 🙂
02/ DEVELOPMENTS
The new newsletter format is in place. Every Friday, you’ll get an inside look. This gives me a reason to get on video (without the pressure of trying to focus on YouTube metrics and growth — it’s all about being here and showing you the experiments). I'm also trying to make this as raw and fluid as possible without overcomplicating the process. It’s going to be absurd, I’ll tell you that.
Inner Circle emails (for collectors) are being sent out soon.
Monthly drops are still in the works. End of June? Keep your eyes peeled.
Active series: The Big Back Room, People Are Strange (Your Strange Is Contagious.
Developing situational concepts for The Hairy Nonsense (our hairy hero ABSRRD subjects). Thinking.
That’s all for today.
Stay Absurd!
Sway 🫠
Diego & his dog are officially absurd! Love it when collectors share pics. Get your wearable artifact at shop.absrrd.com