APD_Week2_Play and Time

Theme:

Play and Time

Context:

Since COVID_19 outbreaks, Melbourne falls into a loop. Once the impact of the virus becomes smaller, the restrictions are lifted, while it getting worse, people are not allowed to go out again. Mary Flanagan states that 'Critical play means to create or occupy play environments and activities that represent one or more questions about aspects of human life. (Mary Flangan,2019) Without the vaccine, the best way to fight the virus is to close our door and stay at home. Thus, I create an animation loop to demonstrate this status. It feels like time is set as a circulation, while people are hiding away from the virus, however, we actually are.

Method:

I draw a sketch as a reference for my 3D objects, which are the virus and the door. Then create the models in C4D and animate it. Export the final animation to a PNG sequence and import the sequences to After effects make them into loops, then add some sound effects in Premiere.

Response & Reflection:

In response to the theme 'Play and Time', I use a loop to demonstrate a cyclic status. Loop as a material of time, I reckon it can bring a very frustrating feeling as being trapped. Thus I use a door to present the house and the opening-closing motion as peoples' reaction to the virus comes and goes.  It is the opposite of the 'Whac-A-Mole' game(  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whac-A-Mole ). Weare the passivity objects, to win the fight, we have to slap the door as soon as possible.

References:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whac-A-Mole

Flanagan,M2009,C​ riticalPlay:RadicalGameDesign​,MITPress,Cambridge.