With the consideration of the setting where the animated installation will be placed, I looked into a theme that could capture asian fusion with a Norwegian touch to it. The piece was intended for the opening of a new Sumo Restaurant in Karl Johans Gate, Oslo, Norway — a bustling area for tourists and locals surrounded by historic architectures. It will be a multi-screen set installation that combine together as one. It was a challenge to create something that will encapsulate elegance and grandeur without being too exclusive or prestigious and unreachably high-end.
I started exploring a prism-like style of illustration. I imagine lights bend and dispersed into different colors when projected through a prism. I wanted to dive into the familiar feeling of being drawn to glittery things and the inviting sparkle of gems and crystals as well as the allure of seeing a pretty simple but mysterious centerpiece.
Board Sketches
Tiger Design
I knew I wanted to show a central figure as the main focus in the frame and then figure out the rest of the background details later.
Upon going through Oslo's neighborhood, I initially started with an idea of a lion figure that guards a treasure. It is inspired by a lion statue near Oslo's parliament building. It symbolizes bravery, nobility, and fearless. I imagined it to be like one of those stone statues that come to life when you try to steal the treasure it's guarding. But since the tiger is believed to be more superior and symbolic creatures in asian cultures (Life of Pi also comes to mind), I modified it to have similarities with a bengal tiger to keep the asian theme. Similarly in most asian lores the tiger represents strength, power, and a creature that wards off evil spirits.
With the complexity of light and form concept, I knew the animation should be pretty static with minimal movement so it remains ambient in feeling and less distracting when displayed in an environment. In the final animation, she would appear to be a friendly guardian inside a temple hall where a hidden gem lies surrounded by a luminous and dreamy crystal forest. She can be inviting with her gaze but be careful not to piss her off.
FINAL OUTPUT
I haven't seen it personally myself. But one day I'll come and visit to see it. Despite that, it was a truly amazing feeling to have this opportunity nonetheless. The fact that somehow the restaurant served as a gallery for my animated artwork blows my mind.
