Art in Motion: Animating the Torment of Lustful Souls
Keywords
Adobe After Effect
Photoshop
Illustration
Overview
Step into a digital journey through Dante’s Nine Circles of Hell at Old Dominion University’s Fright Night. Fright Night is an event held at Old Dominion University around Halloween for students, faculty, and the community to highlight people’s works. For this event, I was tasked with creating a projection mapping installation that focuses on a digital poster and animation project to visually depict the Second Circle of Hell from Dante’s Inferno, representing the sin of Lust.
Problem
Solution
Events constantly seek new ways to engage their audiences, and easily accessible tools to create fresh experiences can add significant value to an event.
I created a detailed digital illustration and dynamic animation of the Second Circle of Hell, representing Lust, focusing on the storm and the souls' torment. This was part of an interactive projection mapping installation, aligned with the work of eight other designers covering the remaining circles.
Installation Setup
The main focus of the setup was to display all 9 posters on a 17 foot tall wall and cohesively scale down in size as the layer number decreased. The composition consisted of 9 stylized posters and animations projected on top of them which created an engaging and immersive environment.
This case study explores the successful display of a projection mapping installation at a community involved event. Additionally, it displays the creative stylization and showcases how digital tools can bring Dante's Circle of Lust to life in an innovative way. It highlights strategic design and execution to showcase an interactive installation that combines immersive visuals, dynamic animations, and audience interaction.
Event
Research
Before creating the digital illustration, I researched the environment and punishment that the souls were being tormented in. The key elements were drawn to describe the violent whirlwind, sweeping souls helplessly through the air denying them being able to control their own body. Although this portion was to ensure the design remained true to the source material, it was also stylized where there was a key figure who was overseeing and causing the torment.
Process
The initial ideas focused on how to stylize the layout and capture the chaotic atmosphere. The second circle, Lust, is described as a barren wasteland that is dominated by violent winds that carry the souls, depicted as ghostly figures, away unable to escape.
The color palette chosen was to be kept muted, mainly dominated by shades of gray and deep blue to reflect the somber tone of Hell. Warm accent colors were added as well, such as red to give contrast and emphasize the unnatural torment.
The animation was created by accentuating the vigorous winds continuously swirling through the land, while the souls are being helplessly swept by the storm. The figure of the lady also displayed movement to stylize and give indication that she has involvement in what is occuring. The movement being displayed also had to be effective in portraying the eternal suffering the souls would endure.
Takeaway
This case study explores the successful display of a projection mapping installation at a community involved event. Additionally, it displays the creative stylization and showcases how digital tools can bring Dante's Circle of Lust to life in an innovative way. It highlights strategic design and execution to showcase an interactive installation that combines immersive visuals, dynamic animations, and audience interaction.