Instant avatars

People get an avatar look at the Avatar Morphing Station, designed by Shi Danqing, who teaches at the Academy of Art and Design, Tsinghua University. Photo provided to China Daily

Strandbeests, meaning sand beasts, is designed to walk on the beach by Dutch artist Theo Jansen.

A technology show in Beijing makes it fun to turn blue. Zhang Zixuan walks the aisle for the latest flights of fancy.

A woman in the audience stands in front of a screen, which has captured her face. In a few seconds, the face gradually turns blue with a new-grown leopard print. Her nose widens and her eyes become golden.

For a moment, a human has transformed into an avatar.

The scene unfolded at the 3rd Art and Science International Exhibition that opened Nov 1 at China Science and Technology Museum. Some 112 exhibits from 22 countries and regions that combine the charm of art and science will wow the audience until the end of the month.

Initiated by renowned physicist Tsung-dao Lee and late art master Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010), the exhibition has been held previously in 2001 and 2006. This year the theme focuses on "Information, Ecology and Wisdom".

The Avatar Morphing Station catches a lot of attention. People surround the TV-like electronic device, queuing to have an avatar look of their own.

Shi Danqing, designer of the device, holds his camera beside the crowd to take photos of transformations that intrigue him.

"Every avatar face the machine creates is unique," he says.

The machine utilizes the automatic face identification system, which is commonly used for security purpose, Shi explains. It then follows a specific algorithm to analyze the captured faces, stretch the muscles, add color and fur patterns, and then replace the eyes.