Place your hands in clay to control an animated retelling of the Chinese myth of Nüwa.
Project Video
Abstract
This project brings together the ancient Chinese myth of Nüwa (女娲), the physical qualities of clay, and the art of animation to explore how stories emerge from the materials we touch. The animation traces how patterns of “Wa” (蛙 – frog/toad) found on different materials throughout Chinese history evolve over time. “Wa,” which shares the same pronunciation as the goddess Nüwa, is also a symbol of fertility. This parallels Nüwa’s role as a goddess of procreation, as well as the nature of animation, which visually brings still images to life. The audience is invited to place their hands on the clay and feel the physical material as they interact. They can gently press into the clay to control the direction and playback speed of the animation. The audience’s senses of touch and sight are engaged throughout the experience. They can participate in the process of animation creation with elements from the myth, thus joining as part of the narrative of life creation.
Photos
Project Logbook
Keywords: Animation, Mythology, Materiality, Creation, Traditional Art
Copyright Statement
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