Obi Mbu (2021) is a 30-minute experimental art and engineering-led film exploring African cosmologies through choreographed dance performances, featuring illuminated Black dancers under ultraviolet light reenacting a West African creation myth.
Exhibited at MIT Media Lab, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon, North Carolina Muesuem of Art, and various other venues
(full list below)
Project year:
2021-2025
How can I translate abstract African cosmological concepts into compelling visual narratives? The challenge was to honor traditional Igbo creation mythology while making it accessible through contemporary digital media. This required finding visual language for concepts primarily preserved through oral tradition, without losing their cultural authenticity or metaphysical depth.
As a Design Technologist and producer on a five-person team, I contributed to the conceptual and technical aspects of the project. My process involved:
- Developing the visual concept for translating abstract cosmology into tangible visual language
- Designing motion graphics systems in After Effects that conveyed the fluid nature of cosmic narratives
- Crafting immersive 3D environments in Blender that spatially represented metaphysical concepts
- Designing promotional materials and exhibition documentation in InDesign that extended the visual language
- Developing interactive visual systems through TouchDesigner and Processing that responded to narrative elements
We created an experiemental 30-minute film that successfully translated abstract cosmological concepts into visceral visual experiences. The project:
- Created new visual vocabulary for representing African metaphysical concepts
- Expanded access to traditional knowledge through contemporary media forms
- Connected diverse audiences across art, technology, and cultural sectors
Throughout this process, I focused on balancing cultural authenticity with innovative digital expression, ensuring the design choices served the storytelling while honoring the source material.
Screenings & Exhibitions: Obi Mbu (The Primordial House)
MIT Media Lab (Cambridge, MA)
Stanford University Silicon Valley Archives (Palo Alto, CA)
Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh, NC)
Fotografiska Stockholm (Stockholm, Sweden)
Miller Institute for Contemporary Art (Pittsburgh, PA)
Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh (NC)
Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)
University of Pittsburgh Frick Fine Arts Building (PA)
Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Middlebury College School of French (VT)
Columbus State University Illges Gallery (GA)
Seattle Black Film Festival (WA)
Blue Sky, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts (Portland, OR)
Tempe Center for the Arts (AZ)
Kelly Strayhorn Theater (Pittsburgh, PA)
Chautauqua Institution (NY)
AlphaLab (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Esalen Institute (Big Sur, CA)
ClampArt Gallery (New York City, NY)
Iris Project Gallery (Los Angeles, CA)
Mariposa Museum & World Cultural Center (Martha's Vineyard, MA)