Multidisciplinary audio-visual project: Alessandro Bavari - Metachaos

METACHAOS from Alessandro Bavari on Vimeo.

I though this animation could be inspiring to us during this experimental project for numerous reasons. It takes a very stylistic approach, uses a combination of various techniques and also employs strong metaphorical meaning. We could certainly incorporate similar elements into this project.

The short film uses live-action shots, CGI animation, tracking and motion captures and various analogical techniques.

The symbolic and metaphorical aspects of the film are particularly interesting and are described as follows on the directors Vimeo site. 

Metachaos, from Greek Meta (beyond) and Chaos (the abyss where the eternally-formless state of the universe hides), indicates a primordial shape of ameba, which lacks in precise morphology, and it is characterized by mutation and mitosis.
In fact the bodies represented in METACHAOS, even though they are characterized by an apparently anthropomorphous appearance, in reality they are without identity and conscience. They exist confined in a spaceless and timeless state, an hostile and decadent hyperuranium where a fortress, in perpetual movement, dominates the landscape in defense of a supercelestial, harmonic but fragile parallel dimension. In its destructive instinct of violating the dimensional limbo, the mutant horde penetrates the intimacy of the fortress, laying siege like a virus. Similar to the balance of a philological continuum in human species, bringing the status of things back to the primordial broth.

Source: http://vimeo.com/16056709

The main audio is combined with sound effects that enhance the visuals and evoke a reaction. This may be something we want to consider when planning our animation, if we decide to take an approach that would benefit from additional sound effects.

I was particularly drawn to the dark style and limited colour palette, as well as the use of shaky camera shots which add to the surreal nature.

The film is incredibly thought provoking and disturbing, yet extremely effective in its employment of techniques. 

When planning our own project we could experiment with techniques similar to those employed here, as well as similar approaches to the aesthetics, without aping the directors style. I particularly like the representation of the human characters and the lack of recognisable detail. 

Post by Jess