11.2 Jacolby Satterwhite and 3D animation

Jacolby Satterwhite's art blends 3D animation, performance, and personal history to explore queer identity and Afrofuturism. His work challenges norms around gender and sexuality, creating surreal digital worlds that reimagine black futures and celebrate queer desire.

Satterwhite's artistic process incorporates his mother's drawings, his own performances, and cutting-edge technology. By merging virtual and physical spaces, he creates immersive experiences that blur reality and fantasy, inviting viewers to question assumptions about identity and representation.

Jacolby Satterwhite's artistic background

• Jacolby Satterwhite is an American artist known for his interdisciplinary approach to art, combining 3D animation, video, performance, and sculpture
• His work explores themes of identity, queerness, and personal history, often drawing from his own experiences as a queer black man
• Satterwhite's artistic practice is deeply rooted in his background and the influences that shaped his creative vision

Education and early influences

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• Satterwhite received his BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2008 and his MFA from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010
• During his education, he was exposed to various artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, and digital media, which laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach
• Early influences include his mother, Patricia Satterwhite, who was an artist herself and created intricate drawings and diagrams that later became a significant source of inspiration for Satterwhite's work

Themes of queerness and identity

• Satterwhite's work consistently explores themes of queerness and identity, often through the lens of his own experiences as a queer black man
• He uses his art to challenge and subvert societal norms and expectations surrounding gender, sexuality, and race
• By incorporating elements of his personal history and family archives, Satterwhite creates a unique narrative that reflects the complexities of queer identity and the intersection of various aspects of his identity

3D animation techniques

• Jacolby Satterwhite employs a range of 3D animation techniques to create his distinctive digital works, which often feature surreal and fantastical environments populated by animated figures
• These techniques allow him to create immersive and dynamic visual experiences that blur the lines between reality and fantasy

Digital modeling and sculpting

• Satterwhite uses digital modeling software, such as Maya and ZBrush, to create 3D models of objects, characters, and environments
• He often starts by sculpting basic forms and then refines them with intricate details and textures
• This process allows him to create highly detailed and realistic 3D assets that serve as the building blocks for his animated works

Texturing and lighting

• Once the 3D models are created, Satterwhite applies textures and materials to give them a sense of depth and realism
• He uses various texturing techniques, such as UV mapping and procedural texturing, to create complex and detailed surface properties
• Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood and atmosphere of Satterwhite's animated scenes, and he carefully adjusts the lighting to achieve the desired effect

Rigging and animation

• To bring his 3D models to life, Satterwhite uses rigging techniques to create a virtual skeleton for each character, allowing them to be animated
• He then animates the characters using keyframe animation, motion capture, or a combination of both
• Satterwhite often incorporates dance and performance elements into his animations, drawing from his own background in dance and collaborating with performers to capture authentic movements

Satterwhite's 3D animated works

• Jacolby Satterwhite's 3D animated works are characterized by their surreal and immersive qualities, often featuring complex narratives that explore themes of identity, desire, and personal history
• His works have been exhibited in numerous galleries, museums, and festivals worldwide, garnering critical acclaim for their innovative use of technology and thought-provoking content

Reifying Desire series

• The Reifying Desire series (2011-2014) is a collection of six videos that explore the intersection of personal memory, fantasy, and queer desire
• In these works, Satterwhite combines 3D animation with live-action footage and found objects, creating a dreamlike and often unsettling visual landscape
• The series draws heavily from Satterwhite's mother's drawings, which he incorporates into the animated environments as a way of connecting his own experiences with his family history

En Plein Air series

• The En Plein Air series (2016-2018) features a collection of virtual reality installations that invite viewers to immerse themselves in Satterwhite's surreal and fantastical worlds
• These works often feature Satterwhite's animated avatar performing dance and movement sequences within the virtual environments
• The series explores themes of embodiment, performance, and the blurring of boundaries between physical and digital spaces

Blessed Avenue series

• The Blessed Avenue series (2018-2019) is a collection of video works that continue Satterwhite's exploration of personal history, queerness, and the intersection of technology and identity
• In these works, Satterwhite incorporates elements of his family's history, including his mother's struggles with mental illness and his own experiences growing up in a working-class black family
• The series features intricate 3D animated environments that serve as a backdrop for Satterwhite's performances, which often involve dance and movement sequences

Incorporation of personal narratives

• One of the defining features of Jacolby Satterwhite's work is the incorporation of personal narratives and autobiographical elements
• By drawing from his own experiences and family history, Satterwhite creates a deeply personal and intimate body of work that resonates with viewers on an emotional level

Family history and archives

• Satterwhite often incorporates elements of his family history into his work, particularly the artwork and writings of his mother, Patricia Satterwhite
• Patricia Satterwhite, who struggled with mental illness throughout her life, created a vast archive of drawings, diagrams, and writings that served as a form of therapy and self-expression
• Jacolby Satterwhite uses these materials as a source of inspiration and incorporates them into his 3D animated environments, creating a dialogue between his own experiences and his mother's creative output

Autobiographical elements

• In addition to his family history, Satterwhite often draws from his own experiences as a queer black man in his work
• He uses his art as a means of exploring and expressing his identity, including his sexuality, gender expression, and the challenges he has faced as a member of marginalized communities
• By incorporating autobiographical elements into his work, Satterwhite creates a powerful and personal narrative that speaks to the experiences of queer and black individuals

Blurring reality and fantasy

• Satterwhite's incorporation of personal narratives often involves a blurring of the lines between reality and fantasy
• He creates surreal and fantastical environments that serve as a backdrop for his performances and animated sequences, which often draw from real-life experiences and emotions
• This blurring of reality and fantasy allows Satterwhite to create a space where he can explore complex themes and ideas in a way that is both deeply personal and universally resonant

Afrofuturism in Satterwhite's art

• Jacolby Satterwhite's work is often associated with the Afrofuturist movement, which combines science fiction, fantasy, and African diasporic culture to imagine alternative futures and realities for black people
• Satterwhite's use of 3D animation and digital technologies, combined with his exploration of black identity and experience, places his work firmly within the Afrofuturist tradition

Reimagining black identity

• Through his art, Satterwhite reimagines black identity in a way that challenges traditional representations and stereotypes
• He creates fantastical and futuristic environments that serve as a space for black characters to exist and thrive, free from the constraints and limitations of contemporary society
• By presenting alternative visions of black identity, Satterwhite encourages viewers to question and challenge their own assumptions and biases

Utopian and dystopian visions

• Satterwhite's work often presents both utopian and dystopian visions of the future, reflecting the complex and often contradictory nature of the black experience
• In some works, he creates idealized and harmonious environments that celebrate black creativity and resilience, while in others, he presents darker and more unsettling visions that reflect the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by black communities
• This duality allows Satterwhite to explore the full range of possibilities for black futures, both positive and negative

Intersection of technology and race

• Satterwhite's use of digital technologies, particularly 3D animation, plays a significant role in his exploration of the intersection between technology and race
• By creating virtual environments and characters, Satterwhite is able to imagine new possibilities for black representation and identity that are not bound by the limitations of the physical world
• At the same time, his work also interrogates the ways in which technology can be used to perpetuate and reinforce existing power structures and inequalities, particularly along racial lines

Queer themes and representation

• Jacolby Satterwhite's work is deeply informed by his identity as a queer man, and his art consistently explores themes of gender, sexuality, and desire
• Through his use of 3D animation and performance, Satterwhite creates a space for queer expression and representation that challenges traditional norms and expectations

Gender fluidity and expression

• Satterwhite's characters often exhibit a fluidity and ambiguity of gender, blurring the lines between masculine and feminine traits
• He uses his animated avatars to explore different modes of gender expression, from the hypermasculine to the feminine and everything in between
• This fluidity reflects Satterwhite's own experiences as a queer individual and challenges viewers to question their assumptions about gender and identity

Sexual liberation and desire

• Satterwhite's work often celebrates queer desire and sexuality, presenting it as a source of joy, pleasure, and liberation
• His animated sequences frequently feature characters engaging in sensual and erotic acts, often in surreal and fantastical settings
• By presenting queer desire in a positive and affirming light, Satterwhite pushes back against the shame and stigma that often surrounds non-normative sexualities

Challenging heteronormativity

• Through his art, Satterwhite challenges the dominance of heteronormativity and the assumption that heterosexuality is the default or "natural" state of being
• He creates worlds and characters that exist outside of traditional binary gender roles and heterosexual relationships, imagining new possibilities for love, desire, and connection
• By presenting alternative visions of sexuality and relationships, Satterwhite encourages viewers to question and challenge their own assumptions and biases surrounding queer identities

Satterwhite's artistic process

• Jacolby Satterwhite's artistic process is characterized by a unique blend of digital technology, performance, and personal history
• He often combines 3D animation with live-action footage, found objects, and family archives to create complex and layered works that reflect his interdisciplinary approach

Collaboration with his mother

• One of the key elements of Satterwhite's artistic process is his collaboration with his mother, Patricia Satterwhite
• Patricia Satterwhite's drawings and writings serve as a major source of inspiration for Jacolby's work, and he often incorporates them directly into his 3D animated environments
• By working with his mother's creative output, Satterwhite creates a dialogue between his own experiences and his family history, exploring themes of memory, identity, and intergenerational trauma

Integration of performance and dance

• Performance and dance play a central role in Satterwhite's artistic practice, and he often incorporates live-action footage of himself and other performers into his animated works
• He uses his own body as a tool for expression and storytelling, creating choreographed sequences that reflect his experiences and emotions
• By integrating performance and dance into his digital works, Satterwhite creates a sense of physicality and embodiment that grounds his fantastical and surreal visions in the real world

Use of virtual and physical spaces

• Satterwhite's work often blurs the boundaries between virtual and physical spaces, creating immersive environments that engage viewers on multiple levels
• He uses 3D animation to create elaborate and detailed virtual worlds that serve as a backdrop for his performances and narratives
• At the same time, he often incorporates physical elements, such as sculptures and installations, into his exhibitions, creating a dialogue between the digital and the tangible
• By navigating between virtual and physical spaces, Satterwhite creates a unique and engaging experience for viewers that challenges traditional notions of art and technology

Critical reception and impact

• Jacolby Satterwhite's work has been widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, and he has become a major figure in the contemporary art world
• His innovative use of technology, combined with his deeply personal and politically engaged content, has made him a leading voice in the fields of digital art and Afrofuturism

Exhibitions and installations

• Satterwhite's work has been exhibited in numerous galleries, museums, and festivals around the world, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the New Museum in New York
• He has also created large-scale installations and public art projects, such as "We Are In Hell When We Hurt Each Other" (2020), a multimedia installation that explored themes of police brutality and racial injustice
• Through his exhibitions and installations, Satterwhite has brought his unique vision and perspective to a wide audience, sparking conversations and debates about identity, technology, and social justice

Awards and recognition

• Satterwhite has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the United States Artist Francie Bishop Good & David Horvitz Fellowship (2016) and the Creative Capital Award (2012)
• He has also been featured in major publications, such as Art in America, Artforum, and The New York Times, cementing his status as a leading figure in the contemporary art world
• This recognition has helped to bring attention to Satterwhite's work and the important themes and issues he explores, such as queerness, race, and the impact of technology on society

Influence on contemporary art

• Satterwhite's work has had a significant influence on the field of contemporary art, particularly in the areas of digital art and Afrofuturism
• His innovative use of 3D animation and his interdisciplinary approach have inspired a new generation of artists to experiment with technology and push the boundaries of traditional art forms
• At the same time, his focus on personal narratives and social justice issues has helped to shift the conversation in the art world towards a more politically engaged and socially conscious practice
• Through his work and his influence, Satterwhite has helped to shape the direction of contemporary art and has opened up new possibilities for artistic expression and activism