The creative piece that I chose is this animation short film by Osro:
The video encapsulates the essence of art by effectively portraying a universal feeling. It captures the struggle that everyone can relate to but struggle to articulate. The animation portrays the heaviness one feels when battling fatigue, and it does so excellently. The teacher in the animation is a standout character for me. Despite only one student remaining awake, he continues teaching. Instead, when that student falls asleep, he sits down and joins in. This showcases his care for his students and reveals his exhaustion, although he never lets it show in front of the class. It accurately captures a feeling that can only be truly understood through experience.
A particularly impactful moment is when the teacher removes his glasses, revealing his eyes and shedding his previously stoic expression. This signifies that it’s not just the students who are tired; teachers also experience burnout. However, both students and teachers feel trapped in this cycle as it reflects the societal norms we’re accustomed to. We fear to change and seek structure, adapting to this lifestyle subconsciously. Yet, in this fleeting moment, nothing else matters. As they drift off to sleep, they find peace, free from societal expectations and the world’s chaos.
At 2:11 in the video, there’s a striking black-background sequence where the main character imagines or hallucinates running around, desperately attempting to awaken various versions of himself. However, as the sequence intensifies, he encounters a peacefully sleeping baby version of himself and an aging, dying version who shakes his head, indicating that it’s not worth continuing the futile pursuit. This breakthrough snaps him out of his dream state, and he chooses to allow himself to rest finally. It’s a touching reminder to treat ourselves with gentleness and to stop fighting and punishing ourselves for our natural needs.
The video is a beautiful expression of art. The colors, artwork, expressions, and atmosphere are realistic and relatable. The use of color captures the essence of the depicted emotions in a truly impactful and meaningful way. The classroom is adorned with shades of blue, creating a serene ambiance. The walls are painted a soft, pastel blue, symbolizing a sense of calmness and tranquility. The color blue is known to promote focus and concentration. Black color has been used to create a strong contrast against other colors, making them appear more vibrant and prominent(1:42). Black is also used to create silhouettes, where the absence of color defines the form(2:17-3:02). This technique also adds a sense of drama and intrigue to the characters, leaving room for interpretation and imagination. The level of detail of the artwork is amazing, showing intricate texture for a classroom setup. This attention to detail brings the animation to life.