Stuttgart-based director and CG artist Michael Fragstein merges the organic and the structural in this hypnotic and tactile CG music video for the track “Off the Grid” from German guitarist/producer JJ Whitefield.

Michael Fragstein: “When I first met JJ Whitefield last year, it felt almost surreal. I’ve been a fan of his music for over a decade, with several of his records in constant rotation in my collection.

“His sound blends global influences with such sophistication that I had always imagined him based in one of the big cultural capitals. So discovering him at an intimate improvisational concert just around the corner from my home was a beautiful surprise. We connected after the show — and soon after, a collaboration was in motion.
 

“The piece combines AI-generated textures with a custom 3D setup where the base textures were crafted using image-burning techniques and then morphed through machine learning models.”

 
“The concept for the video was inspired by the atmosphere of the track. I envisioned wide, abstract terrains, reminiscent of Western landscapes or surreal sequences where something ominous is about to unfold. From that, I developed a visual narrative made of imaginary animated landscapes, layered with graphic grids.

“Without knowing it, I had tapped into the same visual language and themes JJ was already exploring for his upcoming album. The connection became clear when he revealed the album’s title: Off the Grid. Some things just align.

“For the animation, I explored a hybrid workflow that reflects an ongoing direction in my work. The piece combines AI-generated textures with a custom 3D setup where the base textures were crafted using image-burning techniques and then morphed through machine learning models. These were re-integrated into a 3D environment, where I defined the terrain’s elevation, light direction, camera movement, and graphic overlays.”
 
 

 
Artist: JJ Whitefield

Director/Animator: Michael Fragstein