Zealab Experimental Animation
Open Studio in collaboration with Andrea Robles (Bunker 4, CDMX) 2023

The show is an exclusive insight of Zealab’s creative process and experimental spirit.

A unique display of genuine drawings and paintings used for animation production, alongside the projection of three experimental short films "IV Impermanencia", "III In Animata", and "V El Artificio" directed by Andrea Robles and a short "Vēl nav dzīvs" by Liene Rubane.

Exhibition continues with a set of experimental animation sequences made during the Zealab’s workshop (work by Elías Andrade, Jessica Bustamante, Natalia Monroy, Armando Sandoval and Karen Susel).

Animated short film "V. El Artificio", is inspired in the E.T.A Hoffmann tale of The sandman, it’s a journey through subconscious fears, hidden fantasies and recurrent dreams, that manifest in a strange way. It was created with different techniques ranging from charcoal drawing to scratching oil on glass.

Animated short film "IV. Impermanencia", the trace of disturbing memories within a circle where the horizon is lost, what was already seen and reappears without any sense. The tiny space where dreams becomes lively present. Nothing is permanent, the dreams are foam.

Animated short film "III. In animata". The piece is inspired by a fragment of the novel “The devil’s elixirs”, where a saint from a painting comes to life after her painter goes mad with desire. The author of this novel ETA Hoffmann is considered the most important artist of German romantic literature, his work represents the feeling of “das unhemlich”, a term also named as the uncanny.

Animated short film "Vēl nav dzīvs" (Not Alive Yet). A voyage through the time, when memories of recent past and reality, and dreams interact, and everything is related and not. Mysterious and trouble feelings arouse. Submerge oneself in the audio-visual experience where another dimension of our life may be sensed.