P. E. A - Decoded

PEA 

P is for PRINT

E is for ENCHANT

A is for ANIMATE.

The main concept behind this animation is to portray the correlation between the living and the dead.

Paper comes from trees. They used to be alive and vibrant once, before being shaped, processed and formed into paper sheets.
Figuratively, a living organism will and shall continue living on, as long as it's spirit resides.

Hence, Ralph the dinosaur comes into play.

Dinosaurs once ruled the world millenniums ago. Post extinction, their spirit still lives on (we humans pay tribute to them, featuring them in museums, films, literary works etc).

With the intention of harnessing the concept of spirit of place, spirit in place, and spirit through place; I "resurrected" extinct dinosaur(s) through Ralph.

Channelling Ralph's spirit through a medium (paper, which used to be "alive"), I gave him a body of impermanence.

With my blood, fresh from my veins via clean cuts, I invoke Ralph's spirit; painting him with my pulmonary fluids as a tributary gesture. This ties us together. My "life force" sustains his existence.
Think of Ralph's paper model body as your own. Instead of having your organs and circulatory system on the inside, keeping you alive, his is on the outside.

Another example would be to think of it as Ralph's life is being sustained by me indirectly.
Its like our combined life forces is the Internet network.
I am the router which splits the cabled network into WiFi.
Ralph is another device connected to my WiFi.

This means, to get internet, Ralph is entirely dependent on the router (me) to supply him the WiFi signals.

Without me, Ralph has no internet (no life force).

* * *

P is for PRINT

Think of this part as designing the voodoo doll. I design Ralph from scratch, drawing ideas from the surroundings, the atmosphere, and the intangible emotions that linger tastefully in the room.

It is also to portray how an idea in your mind, is just an idea. It is not substantial.
However, when you draw it out, put it down in ink on paper; it becomes real.
As soon as you begin drawing your idea, it transforms from "just an idea" to "something that might have a chance in becoming real".

This also reflects back onto designers. If you have an idea, draw it.
Otherwise, it is of no worth.

* * *

E is for ENCHANT

Think of this as the part where you make the voodoo doll. You have all the materials, measurements, template etc; now toy have to make it.
This is purely construction.

This is also a reminder and critique to designers. Just because you can draw it, does it mean you can make it?
This tests your idea where it factors in all the realistic variables.

If you want your design built, you will have to be able to make it (in model form, at the least).

If you can draw it, but have yet to be able to make it, scrap that idea.
It is rubbish.

* * *

A is for ANIMATE

Now that you're voodoo doll is all designed and made, you're good to go. Time to have some fun with it.

This is the most critical part of design. It determines success or failure. Sure, you can draw it and build it; but does it actually do what it was meant/ intended to? Does it actually work?

If it works, success. Bask in your glory. It's a dignified win.

If it fails, break bread and move on. Come back a week later and dissect it. Look for where it went awry, and what could be learnt from this mistake and/or opportunity.

Learn without regrets. Never forget and never forgive.

* * *

In summary, the PEA trilogy is a tale where a paper dinosaur was born into the modern world, not knowing he was alone (dinosaurs are extinct). As he faces the treacherous terrain of the moderne, he comes to realise and understand that flesh and physicality matters not. As long as your spirit resides as you are remembered for evermore, you are content.

Ralph is I, yet I am not Ralph.

Erratic Behaviour