This summer, I took on a job as the projection designer for a musical theatre production in SH. I dedicated several months to this project and truly learned a lot through all the challenges: from visually transforming the script into storyboards, to creating video materials and programming with TD on-site during tech rehearsals. Though the working experience didn’t end pleasantly, it still was quite an enlightening journey as I got to be opened up and explore as an artist in the theatrical creative environment.

In this futuristic tale, people are trapped in an overly dependent relationship with artificial intelligence, losing their subjective freedom as individuals and becoming silent "puppets" manipulated by AI. I see this intense devotion as a kind of technological religion—an unbridled worship and regulation of technology. So, when visualizing this scene, robust triangular lines rise from the bottom, creating a religiously symbolic and profound image, outlining a spectacle reminiscent of a sacrificial ritual. These sturdy triangles symbolize a world order shaped by artificial intelligence, defined and resistant to change. At the same time, scattered dots on the screen, resembling the people of this era, spin and converge, forming a massive vortex like a pupil. This expansive vortex hovers within the triangle pattern symbolizing religion and rules, resembling a colossal eye overseeing every corner of the world, blending with the unwavering rule represented by the sturdy triangles. It paints a picture of individuals sinking into an inescapable whirlpool dominated by technology, much like an illusion in "The Matrix." Finally, in the upper right corner of the screen appears the image of AI, acting as a personal advisor for everyone, resembling both a private butler and an all-seeing overseer, constantly watching and guiding every thought and action. Therefore, we portray its image as an eye, symbolizing its continuous attention and control over each person.

The design in this video unveils a slice of the Tang Dynasty's grand. White architectural patterns bring stage structures to life with projections, vividly embodying the dynasty's strength in tangible forms.

The Tang Dynasty's prosperity transcends boundaries, positioned at the world's core, drawing nations in with an open, confident, and inclusive spirit.

Golden dust, suspended in the air, symbolizes the dynasty's splendid history and the joy of its people. It's like cultural and artistic dimensions, resembling golden powder that echoes its prosperity.

The golden mountain and blue-green water represent the essence of "empire's landscapes," portraying wealth inspired by Chinese paintings.

This visual design seamlessly blends with live performers' dance and music, crafting a vibrant scene that captures immersive grandeur for a visual storyline climax.

Initially planning an orange-red sun, it was skipped due to lighting and performance conflicts.

Some other tests in this way

In our tale, this particular moment draws inspiration from Li Bai's 'Difficulties of the Shu Road' from the Tang Dynasty. By echoing the line 'The road to Shu is harder than climbing to the sky,' we intend to convey the entrapment and the sense of helplessness faced when confronting challenges, aiming to create a visually striking and psychologically weighty impact. Moreover, our visual elements seek to capture the essence of the poetic lines, emphasizing the atmospheric quality over the text's readability. Hence, in the design, I envision the text as suspended barriers in the air, hindering the audience and gradually advancing towards them in front of the screen. The intentional use of depth of field ensures that the text remains mostly blurred, preventing distractions during reading and preserving the overarching atmosphere. Following discussions with the director, the final presentation incorporates mapping technology on the stage, dividing it into irregular fragmented areas that flicker to showcase the previously crafted content, intensifying the chaotic sensation to align with the storyline's demands.

Then, there are some other works of this project.

At the last are some progress pics of it.

PS: Add some design drafts

 

PS：The music used in this video is not intended for formal performances. The soundtrack in the video is solely for showcasing the artistic work, has no commercial purpose, and does not infringe on any copyrights. If there are any copyright concerns, please contact me for resolution. Thank you.