Soulstice I

it is a one-minute animation (the duration imposed by MINUTEMAPP), combining 2D illustration, computer animation, laser projections, and music and sound design to immerse the audience in a tiny amount of time into an imaginary universe of our own conception.

left: the original painting of the “souls” concept; right: a second painting by Arkhad.

the visual style and characters come directly from Arkhad’s universe. The latter were born from a painting created during the pandemic, the result of reflection on the physical distance separating him from his loved ones following the Beirut port explosion in August 2020.

in this original 32×42 cm work, Arkhad wanted to represent this powerful image that came to him in his sleep of hundreds of small spirits, the “souls,” emanating from the rubble. He chose to represent them with bright colors, contrasting with the darkness of the tragedy, in wishing these spirits a flight into a more joyful world and to symbolize the diversity of perspectives that each individual brought to the world. This painting was followed by a second one also presented above.

the other key collaborator on this project is LT, who was in charge of sound design, music, and After Effects on this project.

description

the spectator accompanies these spirits from the initial moment of their arrival in the world (whether at the moment of the Big Bang or the moment of birth), throughout an existence, and until the end of a life. All in an infinitely brief moment (60 seconds), which also serves to express the finitude of life and its ephemeral nature.

the journey combines a spiritual vision with a voyage through the universe as explained by science, illustrating concepts such as space-time, quantum physics, astrology, eclipses, panspermia, life, death, and black holes. all in such a brief time that it is impossible to absorb everything on the first viewing.

with a touch of lightness, intergenerational accessibility, and humor through the work’s cartoon-style aesthetic and a sound design that gives voices to these “souls” and makes them even more lovable than they already were in the original paintings.

laser retracing of some of the content was created specifically for the MAPP projection, since that was the “twist” of that year’s competition.

this project makes no use of AI whatsoever

below are the detailed credits: