Visionary director and photographer Timothy Saccenti has a beautiful print project coming out! Made in collaboration with 3D illustrator Sam Rolfes and heavily inspired by model/actor Sui Nakashima (who Saccenti met on a project for Depeche Mode’s last album), SUI: A Journey in Self-Realization explores identity formation and transformation through a series of computer-generated manipulations.
The cinematic feel of the project is testament to Saccenti and Rolfes process, shooting thousands of frames in studio with Rolfes live scanning and manipulating on set/in real time. SUI consists of 35 unbound images that allow the reader to go through them in whatever way they choose. It also comes packaged in a reflective polychrome box encased in a vellum sheet, a deliberate decision on the part of CYMK Books to enhance the unique, material aspect of the project. Check out more images of SUI below!
How did you start collaborating together in the past?
Timothy Saccenti: Sui and I have been collaborating together since we met on a project for Depeche Mode’s last album. She was the inspiration for part of a film series projected during their live tour. We’ve collaborated since then on various projects and when Sam and I started our “Struggle Session” series we felt she would be amazing as an iconic portrait subject. She completely inhabits her world when acting or modeling and brings a magic to the room. Sam and I have been creating an on-going body of work together since we started a friendly series of one-offs last year, culminating in the “Struggle Sessions” series. Since then we’ve worked together as often as possible.
Where did the idea of the sui project come from?
Timothy Saccenti: It came from two places, one, the inspiration of working with the iconic Sui, then, aesthetically and technique wise from the explorations of portraiture deconstruction that Sam and I had been working on privately. Sui is a fantastic actress and model so her inspiration really drove the genesis of the project.
What was the shoot like?
Timothy Saccenti: The shoot was quite intense, Haruka is an amazing bondage artist and her and sui have a magical connection. These are very physical proessess and the bondage aspect echoed the work that we were going to create in post, the twisting and manipulating of the body. We shot thousands of frames in the studio and sam was live “scanning” and manipulating on set in real time.
What was the post production process like?
Timothy Saccenti: Sam and I have a process of bouncing back and forth rough ideas over a period of time, partially working on multiple shots so feel out what works. I would process stills and sam would then create first passes of ideas, then we would bounce back and forth until the image was complete, me working in photoshop and Sam working in 3D.
What is next for you?
Timothy Saccenti: Sam and I just finished a campaign for Danny Brown, a few fashion stories and various music videos.
