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Sober Octaves Thesis Series

An animated preface and thesis film with a 5-track album exploring cross-cultural integration and the influences of the west in Ethiopia.

motion · 2020

Overview

The Sober Octaves series is comprised of a preface and a thesis film accompanied by a 5-track album.

Animated Preface

An audio-driven animation exploring the cross-cultural integration and the influences of the west in Ethiopia. The original composition starts off with a digital interface and builds up to incorporate synths inspired by traditional Ethiopian musical instruments. Drawing from personal experience and historical events, monuments and abstract symbols depict both the harmony and conflicts when transitioning and fusing across cultures.

The version shown is a 2020 remaster of my first independent animation project, Sober Octaves [Preface], from 2016. This was an effort to see where my technical and artistic skills have grown with the limitations of keeping the same shot and song. The plan is to repeat this process every 4 years.

Short Film

The thesis film accompanies the animated preface as a deeper exploration of the themes through live action and mixed media.