Daily Drivers: A Project Built on Absurdity – by Stephen Orts & Alex Bernstein
As we continue further and further into the digital age, digital automotive art continues to rise in prominence amongst the automotive community. Digital renderings, profile vectors, and coffee shop sketches have all earned a place in the social feeds of automotive enthusiasts. Most recently, Stephen Orts and his team at Recom Farmhouse’s New York studio, as well as photographer Alex Bernstein, brought forth a concept: retired race cars as daily drivers in the streets of New York. Together, they executed their artistic vision, which is sure to excite the imagination of enthusiasts young and old. Here's their take:
A car is a tool. Its uses range drastically: from everyday tasks like commuting, shopping and school runs, to more exciting functions like self-expression and road trips. And then there's racing... Race cars are a uniquely specialized end of this spectrum. Their sole purpose is to be fast and light, with creature comforts and road manners thrown out the window all in the name of victory. But at the end of the day, they’re still cars: four wheels, a seat and some pedals.
When it comes to getting around the city, most New Yorkers opt for public transportation, because having a car in Manhattan is like trying to paint a mural with a Q-tip. So here -- in this alternate and absurdist reality -- a few legendary race cars break the boundaries of their purpose. In this reality, these retired steeds continue their service. They may not be flat out in Eau Rouge, or spraying gravel off the cliffs of Pikes Peak, but they’re still living, still used, and still loved.
Steven Orts of Recom Farmhouse’s New York studio outlined the rough project idea to photographer and amateur racer, Alex Bernstein, who traveled back to his old stomping grounds in New York to brainstorm with the team, scout and shoot in some iconic locations, working his magic to bring this project to life. With his love for motorsports, Alex nailed the angles to capture the city scenes with their obstructions and ambiance, all while still feeling handheld and natural, as if you were walking through the city streets and had just spotted these ridiculously out-of-place machines.
All the cars are full CGI. Each model required heavy amounts of refinement, while we retextured and prepped in the studio. With great care and patience, the finer details were added. Dust and grit, scuffs and scrapes, raindrops and reflections all work together to fully immerse these cars into their respective worlds. We captured domes from each location which enabled proper reflections to be brought back into post production. Finally, meticulous colour grading enhanced the light and shade of New York City and integrated the composited images.
