Digital Craft > Form

ABOVE THE CLOUD, ALL HEROES GATHER.

THE NINE, Shanghai / 19TH HANGZHOU ASIAN GAMES & ALIBABA CLOUD / 2024

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Presentation Image
Demo Film

Overview

Credits

Overview

Why is this work relevant for Digital Craft?

Alibaba Cloud, as a official prestige partner of HangZhou Asian Games. After we came up with the creative concept of "Above the Cloud, All Heroes Gather", we first used Alibaba Cloud AI "Tongyi Wanxiang" " to made some small samples for the client, For example, using AI to generate connections and integrations between buildings in Hangzhou, China, and other Asian countries can produce new architectural styles that inspire us. When the client confirmed the proposal, we reused 3D software to design and produce this ink-wash digital short film with a strong Oriental style.

Please provide any cultural context that would help the Jury understand any cultural, national or regional nuances applicable to this work.

In China, cultural taboos often surround the use of black and white colors. But for us, black represents the culmination of all colors, as often mentioned, the “colorful black.” This film dared to defy convention by exclusively featuring black and white ink style. The lotus leaves, bamboo, and pine are representative elements of Hangzhou, China. They weave through the entire short film, thereby enhancing the artistic conception of the ink animation.

Background:

The 19th Asian Games will be hosted in Hangzhou, China. Alibaba Cloud, as a official prestige partner of HangZhou Asian Games, aimed to create a promotional video

to welcome the opening of the Asian Games.

Describe the creative idea

Inspired by the “Cloud”, our team got the idea “ Above the Cloud, All Heroes Gather”. Alibaba Cloud Migrates Hangzhou Asian Games’ Core Systems to the Cloud. Athletes from various parts of Asia converge in Hangzhou, undeterred by the thousands of miles that separate them, all in pursuit of their innermost dreams. Much like the clouds in the sky, their unity knows no boundaries, and they fear no geographical obstacles.

Our team collaborated closely with Alibaba AI model Tongyi Wanxiang to adopt a “purely three-dimensional” approach. At the same time, we combine 3D software such as MotionBuilder, Maya, and Houdini, and create an Eastern style ink wash digital short film called “Paper full of clouds”.

Describe the execution

How to use minimalist and condensed graphics to tell a grand story. Our team collaborated closely with Alibaba AI model Tongyi Wanxiang to adopt a “purely three-dimensional” approach. At the same time, we combine 3D software such as MotionBuilder, Maya, and Houdini, and create an Eastern style ink wash digital short film called “Paper full of clouds”. The entire film is connected by “clouds and smoke”, selecting landmark buildings from various parts of Asia and cleverly connecting them with the iconic buildings of Hangzhou through various sports activities. We design these buildings and athletes as silhouettes between flat and three-dimensional, creating black and white tones. For instance, the Seoul Tower in South Korea merged with the Hangzhou International Conference Center, the King Power Mahanakhon in Thailand intertwined with the Zhejiang Global Center, the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia harmonized with the Hangzhou Arch, the Taj Mahal in India danced alongside Gongchen Bridge, Kiyomizu Temple in Japan blended with the serene Hu Xin Pavilion, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia with the ethereal Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. These landmarks, representing nations large and small in Asia, metamorphosed into stages for athletic competitions on the Cloud, thereby conjuring a series of sporting spectacles. “On the Cloud, Heroes Unite” symbolized the Asian Games’ spirit of uniting the diverse cultures of Asia through the medium of sports.

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