'Khor
IMAPP BUCHAREST 2017 – WINNER SELECTION
Palace of Parliament – Bucharest | RO
“…An adventure in the forces of nature: an ever-moving energy from the inner deep silence."
The once-restrained forces of nature are unleashed on the textured façade of Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament, taking the audience on a dizzying ride beyond the limits of reason. In 2017, “Khor” was among the six international winners of “iMapp Bucharest”, one of the largest video mapping events worldwide. Based on the cyclical nature of existence, the artwork illustrates a radiant cosmogony where energy pulsates from towering mountain peaks to profound abysses. Through verticality, the space transcends into an infinite dreamscape, inviting a contemplative ascent towards celestial summits.
During the projection of “Khor,” the structure morphs into an array of natural elements, becoming an ocean, dense forests, ancient rock formations, molten lava ridges, thunderous storms, and even ecosystems from far-off planets. Amid this vivid spectacle, abstract mandalas form an enchanting narrative, aligning with cosmic rhythms. The storytelling transitions between matter and antimatter, light and shadow, incorporating archetypal symbols and mysterious hyper-objects from an obscure ecological realm.
Through light, the building’s primary properties are vividly captured and then reprojected, defining the structural characteristics of homography. Before transitioning back to reality, the narrative alludes to the creation myth, ultimately culminating in an encounter with a demiurgic entity representing the beginning and end of all things.
THE URBAN SPACE
Despite its infamous past, the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest is the second-largest administrative building globally and one of the heaviest. Its modernist neoclassical architectural style serves as a stark reminder of Nicolae Ceauşescu’s totalitarian regime, marked by a cult of personality and oppressive power. Yet, during the festival, this once burdensome structure transforms into a vibrant light spectacle, generating a compelling and transformative experience for all who witness it.
“Khor” imparts fluidity to the building’s rigid structure by playing with memory, light, and matter. Through the illuminating light of rebirth, the Palace of Parliament undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis, adopting a soft, malleable form that yields to the relentless forces of nature.
CREDITS
Art Director – Animation
Animation
Stop-motion Animation
Soundtrack
Art Director – Animation Luca Pulvirenti
Animation Luigi Mignemi, Cristina Santangelo
Stop-motion Animation Giuseppe Cacciola, Michela Giuffrida
Soundtrack Giancarlo Trimarchi
Luca Pulvirenti
Luigi Mignemi, Cristina Santangelo
Giuseppe Cacciola, Michela Giuffrida
Giancarlo Trimarchi