High-Tech Digital Mirror Turns Your Face into a 3D Canvas

October 12, 2016, 8:50am

GIF by the author, via

When it comes to projection mapping the human face, Japanese artist Nobumichi Asai has been creating some truly spectacular work. The lastest development in his constantly evolving technique is a “real-time face generator”—this sci-fi sounding installation, called Kagami, is like a high-tech digital mirror.

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It works by first getting someone to stand in front of a face scanner so that a 3D model can be created. Next, a recreation of their scanned face is generated in real-time and projected onto 5,000 motorized rods. Controlled by linear actuators these form the contours of a 3D face. Further animations and effects are then projection mapped onto it for a stunning performance—where a replica of their face is the stage.

“On its ‘face,’ many electric makeup art images are projected and simulated,” explains Asai. “[The] theme is ‘beauties of nature (ka-cho-fu-getsu),’ morning glory, bamboo, butterfly, kingfisher, Japanese crested ibis, sunset, cherry blossom, gold (moon).”

The result is astonishing and completely mesmerizing to watch—especially the opening and creation of the mask, which comes across like a scene from Ghost in the Shell. (Asai has worked on a VR app for the film, so maybe it influenced the tone.) Check out the video below and head to Asai’s website for more of his incredible work.