During the development of the film Swans Reflecting Elephants, we did several experiments with light. We were looking for a way to visualize distortion of the face and thus to portray the feeling of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. After extensive research and testing, we arrived at a construction of light that moves around the face and thereby changes the perspective of the face. The effect was impressive not only on film, but also the live experience of it. At that moment the idea arose to let the viewer experience this technique in real life. A so-called extension of the film in which the visitor can experience “The Elephant”.

 

The installation is housed in a large black construction in which the visitor faces a mirror.

A light frame with hundreds of LED lights surrounds the visitor. When these lights take on different positions, the visitor sees the perspective of the face change in the mirror.

This can be done smoothly, but also via a stroboscopic effect in which different views of the face are alternately illuminated. As a result, the face seems to be constantly changing and different versions of the face appear in the mirror. Because the reality of what someone normally sees in the mirror changes at high speed, an alienating and perhaps uncomfortable experience with yourself arises.

The installation is interactive, because the light plays with the person opposite the mirror. This makes the experience unique for every visitor. The experience is enriched by the addition of sound design, which moves in sync with the light. As a result, the mirror becomes a character, just like in the film, and seems to communicate with the visitor.