Motion Graphics 3 Class Assignment: Graphic Stories in the Real World
‘Sema” is a motion graphic piece created to communicate the poetry of great philosopher Mevlana Rumi. Rumi is the inspiration of the Whirling Dervishes, a special sect of Sufism. Whirling Dervishes spin in repetitive circles, imitating the earth’s movement and relationship with our solar system. They aim to achieve spiritual drunkenness by becoming part of the movement of the universe.
This piece is about the desire to become one with the universe, and embrace the constant push and pull of nature. A pendulum makes an excellent metaphor for the piece. The pendulum was chosen to represent the science of the Whirling Dervishes. Based on Newton’s three laws of motion, the pendulum is in fact powered by gravity rather than being slowed by it. When it swings upward gravational force slows it down causing it to swing upward the opposite way. This motion repeats until another force is applied to it, similiar to the inertia of the dervishes as they whirl.