Edacious - 2D Animation

Enquiry

How do I deliver emotions through animation using both subtle human behaviour and exaggerated expressions through eating, while also incorporating surrealism and metaphors?

Abstract

Food can often be seen as a getaway for overwhelming emotions, serving as distraction or comfort. Food in animation are usually shown to create a comfortable atmosphere or as a representation of a sense of comfort, especially in Japanese animated movies. However, this 2D animation uses food as an analogy to express the shifting emotions of a character, depicting anger, distress and sadness. Using metaphors from everyday surrounding objects, (such as kitchen utensils) as a representation on how distorted reality could become when faced with extreme emotional distress. Moreover, using food as a medium as a portal to play between reality and the surreal. Utilising abstract forms and fragile looking items on the surreal world to depict the character’s emotional turmoil.

Extra – Reflection on Edacious upon completion

Edacious came to life with the initial thoughts on the concept of emotions and eating. It was later down the line that I realized what I’m making is basically the concept of loneliness, emotional outburst, the critical moments on how empty and desolated the character becomes, and how food became the victim (a getaway), a method of escapism from reality.

Highlighting especially the eating moment of the animation creates tension, perhaps also awkwardness and embarrassment. With sound design by the talented Thomas McMahon, I think he did a great job highlighting the sounds of eating and chewing that further this tension.

To be honest, this animation was also inspired by my family’s tradition, whenever the four of us is in the same house (right now my brother is in Auckland and my parents are in Indonesia), we have to eat at least one meal together. Usually dinner. It’s quite a big deal for my mother, because she thinks having a meal together is a great way of strengthening our relationship with each other. Even when at times we don’t exchange words, and we just eat. When I first moved out to Australia, I remembered eating alone on the dinner table, and somehow missed that comfortable space that I had with my family back home.

The outburst that the character does is very personal to me. Sometimes it’s hard to express your emotions normally, and your feelings comes alight when you eat, since it’s a vulnerable act that everyone does. I tried to incorporate a moment of surreal when she’s at the highest point of ‘tantrum’, I guess, to indicate how her mental state is deteriorating. I’ve also subtly put some surreal elements here and there, I wonder if anyone noticed it? (hint: look at the hands)

Having finished the animation, I feel like I finished it well, there are, of course, a lot of improvements that could be done, but at the moment I am satisfied with how it turns out. I think it’s a really significant work coming out from my practice.