THE art world’s award-winning ‘3D couple’ have been wowing F1 fans with their latest amazing creations.
Two immersive art installations that have utilised sustainable paints offered a unique experience for visitors at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
Limnesh Augustine and Jincy Babu, both Indian expatriates from Kerala, created a stair illusion painting at the Paddock Stairs Red Carpet – a stunning optical illusion of an F1 car bursting out of the stairway, surprising and delighting anyone walking by.
They also created a 3D interactive illusion at the Public Vending Area. The expansive 3D anamorphic painting, measuring 9.25 metres by 5.5 metres, designed across the wall and the floor, allowed fans to become part of the scene.
“Watching the reactions of the children made it all worthwhile,” said Mr Augustine. “Most of them had no idea that they were interacting with the paintings.
“But seeing their reactions when they realised that they were the ones on the podium or holding the flags, the smile on their faces – it’s the kind of feedback that is among the highest praise an artist could ask for.”
As part of the art experience, motorsport enthusiasts could pose as if they were waving the flag to start the race, stand on the winner’s podium, or even look like they were changing a tyre in the pit lane, making the F1 experience as interactive as possible.
Speaking to the GDN, Mr Augustine revealed that they wanted to use a special paint to incorporate Bahrain’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).
“We discussed it beforehand, and wanted to use a special Carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption paint that was introduced to artists fairly recently,” said Mr Augustine.
“It is a type of paint without bright colours and does not mix well with some paints, so we had to do a lot of testing.
“Eventually we decided to combine it with tempera, a permanent fast-drying paint, in order to get the best possible outcome, and we are happy with the result.”
Mr Augustine and Ms Babu are both Guinness World Record holders for the World’s Largest 3D Anamorphic Painting titled ‘Piece4Peace’. The 24,717 sqft masterpiece was painted at the Al Najma Club in Manama on February 24, 2012.
They have taken part in exhibitions and installations around the world, including Austria, Germany, the US, Netherlands, France and Italy, and have done multiple art installations in the past.
The artists have been collaborating with the UN since 2013, creating a 3D chalk painting in Bahrain in October 2017 for International Day of the Girl Child.
The duo has been married for more than a decade and live in Seef District with pet cat Choo Choo.
Mr Augustine explained that they ran into some obstacles and challenges working on the BIC project.
“The carpet was difficult to paint on, and we had to use glue-based coating and a bit of spray to make the F1 car work,” he said. “Additionally, 3D anamorphic paintings are a comparatively new thing in Bahrain, so not everyone knows how to interact with them.
“We decided to use a QR code with a set of instructions on them on how best to interact with the art piece and where to stand.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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