COVID Curve

COVID Curve is an audio-visual representation archiving the experience and my thoughts whilst living through this worldwide event. Utilising SideFX Houdini’s CHOPs network and creating a procedurally generated and animated model, COVID Curve’s particle is based on the CDC’s modelling of the virus mixed with other artist’s inspirations, actively reacting to the audio created for it. Moving down a spotless hallway, as the virus begins to spread, the hallway reflects this, and as people recover, the environment returns to normal, however, the virus has changed the perspective of things forever. The accompanying music literally grows with the spread of the virus, adding an extra note, changing the timing from the start of the piece. It also changes from sounding like a melodic heartbeat to a raspier tone as the virus develops, further elaborated with the peaks of digital distortion scattered throughout and the modulating drones that further texture the audio. When the virus was first being reported on, I questioned with friends and family whether this was something or nothing to be concerned about. As time went by it became more and more evident it was taking the world by storm and could not be ignored any longer. As it continues to navigate the world, New Zealand is now in an eerie position where life can return to normal, whilst the wider world cannot and concerns grow for countries who aren’t dealing with it particularly well or have yet to encounter it at all.

Autodesk Maya - Hallway Module Models
SideFX Houdini 18 - COVID Model & Animation
3DCoat - Texturing
Redshift - Rendering
Adobe After Effects - Additional Post FX