LUNAR’s Andrew Thomas Huang creates ‘Austral Flora Ballet’ projection for Lighting of the Sails
Andrew Thomas Huang’s Austral Flora Ballet was produced by Collider’s experience division LUNAR, in collaboration with LA based animation design studio BEMO. Huang’s commissioned site-specific artwork was co-curated by the Sydney Opera House and Destination NSW for Vivid Sydney.
Austral Flora Ballet was been viewed by approximately 2 million visitors on site and over 5 million online from 24 May– 15 June during Vivid Sydney. The artwork is a hypnotic fusion of contemporary dance and motion-capture technology that brings Australian botanic wonders to life as never seen before. Together with choreographer Toogie Barcelo, musician/composer Kelsey Lu and the animation design team at Bemo in Los Angeles, Huang crafted a lush spectacle from such beloved floral gems as the New South Wales Waratah, the Kangaroo Paw and the Red Beard Orchid. These unique native plant species inspired the animated shapes, colour palette and textures to produce a magnificent otherworldly opus.
Huang and Barcelo worked with dancer Genna Moroni to generate fluid arabesques in direct response to the sensuous arcs and rhythms of the Sydney Opera House Sails. The artwork was produced by Moroni dancing on a motion capture stage in front of projected images of the building which enabled Barcelo’s choreography to physically embody the world-recognised silhouette.
The result is a ‘ballet’ of dazzling floral avatars that bloom with human movement across the Sails of the Sydney Opera House. Huang’s new piece underscores the connection between the human body, architecture and the natural world through the lens of Australia’s botanical treasures.
Huang is signed to Collider and LUNAR for both film and special projects.
Click here to see behind the scenes and Huang talking through the process.
1 Comment
Lovely work.
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