The idea of a future dependent on robots, with human jobs taken over by them, is now a staple of futuristic science-fiction. Robot doctors, robot cab drivers, robot maid… but what about those jobs you never expect would be taken over? Say, nude model for an art school?
It’s the idea behind The Unclothed Man of the 35th Century AD, where art students have gotten used to drawing androids. In order to subvert this, a human rebel infiltrates an art school posing as a nude model android. His mission: to trick art students into drawing a human being without knowing it. With such a weird premise, you can expect the series to look as warped as it is. In look and tone, it kind of reminds me of David Lynch’s animated series Dumbland.
The four-episode series (with a fifth bonus making-of episode) is created by alt comics artist Dash Shaw based on his upcoming graphic novel of the same name, which goes on sale December 22nd.
The age of YouTube has given way to an interesting wave of independent animators who take the medium into many different directions; some perhaps more risky than others. They know that anything they home-make can eventually find an audience with the help of popular video sites. In such an age of grassroots releases, it’s odd to see a short animated series actually finding an established backing, but that’s indeed what The Unclothed Man of the 35th Century AD has. IFC’s collection of original independent web series never ceases to surprise me with their willingness to launch web projects with limited appeal.
Check out the first episode below, then head over to IFC.com
