Nick Knight’s Face Off
An Outlandish Physical and Digital Collision
Nick Knight is a British fashion photographer with a robust catalog. Knight’s still images have appeared several times in PROVOKR, but he is also a sought-after video director. In 2000, Knight launched SHOWstudio.com with projects that focus on the physical-digital hybrid. This video, “Face Off,” experiments with several face filters and uses Moschino and Mugler designs to show off fashion. SHOWStudio says, “we applied outlandish and hypnotizing face filters to two extraordinary models in real-time,” to show off “Mugler jeans…through a mystical undulating butterfly filter, and Wrighton’s iconic bunny hat design… in the virtual sphere.”
Knight has used visual design in his videos before, creating interactive, 360-degree videos for rappers and working with Lady Gaga on music videos for Don Perignon–he has done many productions for designers like Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Yohji Yamamoto. Moreover, Knight worked with brands like Burberry, Chanel, Fendi, Christian Dior, Lancôme, Swarovski, Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, and Yves Saint Laurent. “Face Off” is the latest addition to his innovative films that show images through new lenses.
The face filter takes this video to a surreal stage and asks the viewer to step into the subjective world of the models. There is tension and playfulness to the project. “Face Off” offers a new normal for style and opens up possibilities for what beauty is. It asks how models are seen plus how the layman relates to them. Knight once again challenges expectations and entertains with a daring array of images. His vision is apparent, but each image is blended with psychedelic music. The special effects of Knight’s video are confusing but serve as an homage to video games, anime, and surreal art. Step into Nick Knight’s world.
