In provocative and sentimental glory, rapper Tupac Shakur — who has been dead for 15 years — graced the crowds of the Coachella Festival Sunday with a celestial yet digital performance.
A computer-generated 2D (though it appears to be a 3D holographic) image of the prolific cultural icon was projected on stage alongside fellow godfathers of rap, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. The YouTube videos and live streams of the event gave chills to thousands of fans and viewers. It was emotional and awesome. But it is almost scary. The image was created by Digital Domain Media Group and AV Concepts — leaders in visual effects and responsible for the many versions of Brad Pitt that appeared in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
At a time when much of Hollywood beckons on the edge of turning 3D technology into a cliché or a gimmick via re-release after re-release, this represents something completely different. This is symbolic of just exactly what humans are capable of accomplishing, but it is also homage to the methods of magicians of the past.
Tupac ascended legendary status before he even died. His rise to fame was shrouded in as much controversy as his death, yet his voice, his message, his influence and apparently his digital imprint, will live on forever. It already has in the 15 years since the rapper was gunned down in Las Vegas.
"To create a completely synthetic human being is the most complicated thing that can be done," Digital Domain's chief creative officer, Ed Ulbrich, told the Wall Street Journal. "This is not found footage. This is not archival footage. This is an illusion.”
Ulbrich said he related the image to an effect first used in the 19th century known as “Pepper’s Ghost.” The key difference is the Tupac that performed on Sunday was created on a computer and not simply the reflection of an actor behind a mirror. Rumors of a possible world tour featuring the digital ‘Pac have circulated the Internet, which opens up a whole new set of questions. Would it be the same as the real thing? Is it ethical? But most importantly, is this what Tupac would want? Is this really how we’re going to interpret Machiavelli?
Fifty seconds into the performance, the image of Tupac addresses the crowd by name. “What the f-ck is up Coachella?” is met with a thunderous roar of awe. And roar we should.
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