DECOLONIAL QUANTUM ANIMATION
A Decolonial Approach to Quantum Mechanics through Animation
Ina Conradi & Mark Chavez
Animation Practice, Process & Production, Volume 12, Issue
Decolonizing Animation
CDSA 2024
KEYWORDS
artistic expression; educator; generative AI; immersive performances; motion design; Nepantla ; scientific concepts; visual effects
MARK CHAVEZ
Award - winning animator, artist, educator, and entrepreneur.
Developed animation systems and techniques across various media. DreamWorks SKG for visual effects .
,
Photo taken at Stone Mountain, Atlanta, Georgia. Published in National Geographic, March 1984.
Production work at DreamWorks and Rhythm and Hues.
Chargeofthe‘Light’Brigade
INA CONRADI
Multi - disciplinary artist. Combines digital painting, experimental S3D animation, installation and soft tangible woven sculptures .
Gold Kosode , Japan, Ina Conradi , 1992
Elixir of Redness , Japan, Ina Conradi , 2008.
Dreams, Ars Electronica Deep Space, 2011
Mise en Scene, Singapore, 2013
Installation Hand Woven Tapestry, Los Angeles, 1992.
MARK & INA: ARTISTIC DUO & GLOBAL INNOVATORS (2005 –2024)
Established the School of Art, Design, and Media
Exhibited work at major venues:
Ars Electronica 2011- 2024 Siggraph, ZKM, ISEA UCLA Art|Sci Center,
Media Architecture Biennial Beijing, and many others
ElysianFieldsreviewed for the 86th Academy Awards (Animated Short Film).
ChrysalisLumiere Award winners for Europe 2017, Hollywood 2018
Nocturnepremiered at Ars Electronica 2021 during Covid
Moirai Thread of LifeBest in Show at Siggraph Asia Computer Animation Festival (CAF) 2023
Moirai Thread of Life, 2024
Elysian Field, 2013. Chrysalis, 2016.
Nocturne, Victoria Primus, Ars Electronica Deep Space 8K, 2021.
Photo by Wolfgang Simlinger.
Chrysalis Lumiere Award, 2018
A DECOLONIAL APPROACH TO QUANTUM MECHANICS
THROUGH ANIMATION
• Using abstract animated imagery to explore quantum mechanics from a decolonial perspective.
• This approach challenges perceptions of reality by merging indigenous design elements with scientific theories.
• Offering a novel, culturally enriched lens on complex scientific topics.
Quantum Logos Vision Serpent, Ars Electronica Deep Space 8K, 2019. Photos by Wolfgang Simlinger.
BLURRING REALITY AND REPRESENTATION WITH ANIMATION
Jean Baudrillard's 'Simulacra and Simulation’
Animation blurs reality and illusion, making alternate realities feel more tangible than the phenomena they depict.
Eisenstein's 'Plasmatic Elasticity'
Animation’s fluid forms mirror quantum unpredictability, ideal for visualizing abstract scientific concepts.
Bridging Science and Culture
Integrates quantum mechanics and indigenous symbols, merging scientific and cultural narratives.
Quantum Logos Vision Serpent, Ars Electronica Deep Space 8K, 2019.
Photo by Wolfgang Simlinger .
METAPHYSICAL NATURALISM
& CULTURAL DESIGN
Epistemological Naturalism is the view that knowledge is best gained (perhaps: can only be achieved) via science (natural science).
Metaphysical naturalism is an ontological claim, like physicalism that everything is natural, where some explication of “natural” is crucial.
Non - naturalists view the naturalist as a physicalist under a different label.
D. Gene Witmer
Photo by Wolfgang Simlinger.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
• Focus on early civilizations’ interpretations of natural phenomena
• Use ancient forms to suggest observations visible with modern instruments
ARTISTIC APPROACH
• Patterns in quantum mathematics resemble mandalas
• Explore the quantum world visually using imagery from early cultures
Amitabha Buddha
LEVERAGING INDIGENOUS DESIGN IN QUANTUM VISUALIZATION
Indigenous and Quantum Parallels
Indigenous geometric patterns reflect quantum phenomena, enriching scientific visualization.
Inclusive Science Visualization
Cultural symbols in animation challenge
Western - centric views, making quantum concepts more accessible.
Subjective Reality and Entanglement
Indigenous designs highlight interconnectedness, aligning with quantum entanglement and diverse cultural perspectives.
Still image from Moirai Thread of Life , 2024. Ina Conradi, Mark Chavez.
VISUAL IMPACT OF CULTURAL ARCHETYPES IN QUANTUM ANIMATION
Cultural Archetypes in Science
Symbols like the Vision Serpent and Tree of Life visualize complex quantum concepts.
Making Abstract Concepts Tangible
These archetypes help explain superposition and wave - particle duality.
Challenging Traditional Science Communication
The films emphasize cultural insights as valuable tools in understanding the universe.
Quantum Logos Vision Serpent , Ars Electronica Deep Space 8K, 2019.
Photo by Wolfgang Simlinger .
TOWARDS A DECOLONIAL SCIENTIFIC NARRATIVE
Decolonial Science Narrative
Integrating indigenous designs with quantum mechanics shifts towards a more inclusive scientific narrative.
Honoring Cultural Diversity
The project promotes science communication that respects diverse cultural perspectives.
Evolving Reality
Broadening perspectives enriches our understanding of complex scientific concepts and fosters inclusivity.
Still image from Moirai Thread of Life, 2024. Ina Conradi, Mark Chavez.
CASE STUDIES IN DECOLONIAL QUANTUM ANIMATION
'Quantum LOGOS (Vision Serpent)' uses Mesoamerican design to depict quantum concepts.
'Moirai, Thread of Life' follows a female astronaut's journey, using Southeast Asian motifs to illustrate quantum principles.
Best in Show at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Computer Animation Festival
Still image from Moirai Thread of Life, 2024. Ina Conradi, Mark Chavez.
AI IN ART COURSES
SCHOOL OF ART DESIGN AND MEDIA
NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Explorations in AI Generated Art
The undergraduate course explores the unique artistic potential of A.I. and machine learning and how to incorporate them into their creative process.
*SCSE- MinorinArtificialIntelligence
Art in the Age of Creative Machine (PG)
The graduate - level course examines the impact of machine learning on art and culture, particularly in creative fields such as media art, music, performance, and literature.
INSTRUCTOR: INA CONRADI (A/P)
©2024 Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. All Rights
CLASS OUTCOMES: LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
AI in ART Exhibition, Workshop & Prompt Battle
School of Art, Design and Media at the Nanyang Technological University
ARS ELECTRONICA FESTIVAL 2023
CONNECTING CLASSES & SEMINAR:
Europe, Singapore and China, in conjunction with the CDSA April – July 2024
University of Bauhaus Weimar, NTU ADM Singapore
China Academy of Art Hangzhou
University Bauhaus Weimar – Guest Lecture
Yuelai Ruan
University of Art Hangzhou
Imagine a future where an 'extracted consciousness' allows humans, plants, and animals to communicate universally.
GAIA ZERO
What would Data Lakes look like and how would they function if they were real and physical?
(Media Art Nexus 15000 by 2000 mm LED NTU)
WITH OVER 30 WORKS SCREENED
WORKS ON TEN SQUARE BUILDING
BEYOND THE SCREENS EVENT IN SINGAPORE
Nanyang Technological University LED Screen, Singapore
Ten Square, Landmark of Good, Singapore
Waves of Time: Echoes, Whispers, and Memories, Mark Chavez & Ina Conradi (Hangzhou Canopy)
Waves of Time: Echoes, Whispers, and Memories by Mark Chavez ( GiantMonster ) and Ina Conradi Chavez (NTU ADM)
