Gold Plated Frequencies: An Artistic Dance of Visual and Auditory Experience

Chris Slabber's Award-Winning Album Art for Haezer, a Masterpiece of Photo Manipulation

The inspiration behind this piece was the tension of frequencies within our bodies, a concept Slabber visually represented through a stone sculpture on the verge of breaking apart. The artwork reflects the moment just before an inner release, drawing inspiration from damaged Greek and Roman sculptures. This design is suggestive, inviting the viewer's third eye to complete the picture.

Slabber's design stands out in the realm of dance music artwork. Instead of following current trends, he aimed for a timeless feel, a quality appreciated by the client. The artwork, much like Haezer's music, is unconventional yet dance-based, providing a unique visual representation of the auditory experience.

The realization of this design involved a combination of studio photography, special effects makeup, and post-production work using Adobe Photoshop. The model was photographed in the studio, and the final image was manipulated to create the illusion of a stone sculpture about to shatter.

Technical specifications varied as the design was intended for digital release, adapting to different applications such as Facebook cover photos, profile pictures, and website backgrounds. However, the original dimensions were 120mm in width and height. The project, which took about a month to complete, was produced in Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, South Africa.

Slabber faced challenges in making the artwork seem real, aiming to leave the viewer questioning whether it was photography or 3D. His research focused on studying ancient Greek and Roman sculptures and their reactions to vibrations, as well as stylistic research to translate the music into a visual interpretation. The result is a unique piece of art that not only complements Haezer's music but also stands on its own as a visual masterpiece.

The Platinum A' Design Award recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs that showcase unmatched professionalism and contribute to societal wellbeing. Slabber's artwork for Haezer's "Gold Plated Frequencies" certainly fits this description, pushing the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology, and contributing to the defining aesthetics of an era.