The Nightmare

2021

stop motion animation

Film created at Tao Xi Chuan Art Center, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China

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The Nightmare (“幻景”) is a stop motion animation inspired by the Dunhuang fresco titled Mara’s Attack, found in Cave 254 of the Mogao Grottos, and captures the silent struggles of mental illness.

The tale unfolds over three chapters. 
“The Dancer” (舞女) follows the anxiety of a dancer about her appearance. The harder she pursues outward beauty and perfection, the more cracked and fissured her face becomes. 
“Phobia” (马面的恐惧) is a glimpse into the Horseman’s unease and fear of being exposed to social activity. 
“Insomnia” (失眠夜) is the wakeful dream of a depressed insomniac.

This project is an interdisciplinary study of ceramics, animation techniques, and the Dunhuang frescoes. Through this medium, I explore the bridge between traditional depictions in the frescoes and contemporary stories of everyday life.

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定格动画《幻景》以敦煌254窟“降魔成道”壁画为灵感，结合现代语境的创作。展现了三种备受折磨的心理状态。

 

动画分为三个小篇章：

《舞女》之章描绘了舞女备受外界对其容貌评论所困，强力粉饰自己却适得其反；

《马面的恐惧》之章表现马面身处社交场合的不适和恐慌；

《失眠夜》之章讲述了某个夜晚抑郁、失眠的幻象。

 

短片旨在通过结合敦煌题材的陶瓷和实验动画，探索敦煌壁画中历史悠久的故事和当代的某种联系。

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Softwares and equipments:

Dragonframe, Adobe Creative suite, Logic ProX

Cannon Mark 5D III

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Crew:

Photo Assistant     He, Linger

Kiln Master            Hu, Yongsheng

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