4993 FEET UNDER // A REALTIME LIVE CINEMA & FULL DOME EXPERIENCE

“4993 Feet Under” is an innovative exploration of the intersection between cinema and real-time technology. Utilizing a hybrid documentary approach to depict the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

This spectacle chronicles the entire life cycle of a Whale Fall. Audiences embark on a poignant journey, witnessing the final moments of a dying humpback whale descending 4993 feet below the surface, where the Macondo Wellhead's oil leak occurred. Savage, exquisite, and poetic, the performance forms an elegy for the lives lost and shaken by the largest marine oil spill in history.

Performance Workshop, Dec 2023, Shanghai University, China

01 // HOW IT STARTED

"Stones perceive temperature, a table seems to breathe, and each ant observes the world from its unique perspective.” As a child, lying in the dirt and spending days and hours observing my mother's plants, I contemplated all the elements in that small space as sentient beings, each with its own ecosystem.

As I grew older, I delved into Animism and Buddhist philosophy, which portray the universe as a state of chaos, where all life and beings experience existence and movement, both nurturing and resisting the chaos, thus possessing a form of 'spirit.'

My intellectual journey was profoundly shaped by the works of Dona Haraway, Timothy Morton, and Yuval Noah Harari. They each explore the world through diverse philosophical, scientific, and planetary lenses. However, what unites their perspectives is the concept of empathy. In the midst of today's rapid technological advancement, I often find myself lost. Yet, I remind myself that the more technology progresses, the more precious it becomes to embrace our human essence.

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic when I found myself safely cocooned at home. There was this overwhelming sense of disconnection, witnessing a portion of the world continue to thrive and grow within the confines of an online structure, all while another part of the world grappled with suffering and loss. I couldn't help but ponder whether our response to a global catastrophe, driven by politics, beliefs, privileges, and hierarchies, was uniquely human complexity. Or, when compared to the potential response of non-human entities, did our reaction seem simpler or more intricate?

I had no definitive answers then, and I still don't know. But it prompted me to turn my gaze towards the ocean, an enigmatic realm that remains largely uncharted by us. Specifically, I became fixated on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill of 2010. It sparked an initiative within me to embark on a project that delves into the themes of Planetary Coexistence, Empathy, and Kinship.

02 // RESEARCH

Our research focused on learning in-depth details and facts surrounding the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and its impact. In addition to using public data, we also make an effort to connect with organizations and individuals actively involved in conservation work. This enriches our comprehension of the spill’s enduring consequences.

03 // PITCH PHASE

When we initially chose to pursue a vertically ascending experience, we began the process of organizing levels and sections. This provided us with a clearer understanding of the pace and duration of the piece. Initial pitch deck below:

04 // TECHDEMO

We created a Tech Demo to assess technical workflows and explore the potential for real-time performance, including the visual aesthetics. Additionally, during this phase, we engaged a composer to collaborate in defining the musical tone. At this stage, we have decided on the direction of exploring the genre of "Live Cinema".

In distinguishing our performance from a typical club/VJ set, our aim was to introduce elements of Cinema by emphasizing narrative, documentary elements, voiceovers, sound design and cinematic visuals. Simultaneously, we retained the technical aspect by utilizing Unreal Engine, Midi, and Mocap gloves for interactive engagement with the audience.

4993 FEET UNDER // A REALTIME LIVE CINEMA & FULL DOME EXPERIENCE

“4993 Feet Under” is an innovative exploration of the intersection between cinema and real-time technology. Utilizing a hybrid documentary approach to depict the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

This spectacle chronicles the entire life cycle of a Whale Fall. Audiences embark on a poignant journey, witnessing the final moments of a dying humpback whale descending 4993 feet below the surface, where the Macondo Wellhead's oil leak occurred. Savage, exquisite, and poetic, the performance forms an elegy for the lives lost and shaken by the largest marine oil spill in history.

Performance Workshop, Dec 2023, Shanghai University, China

01 // HOW IT STARTED

"Stones perceive temperature, a table seems to breathe, and each ant observes the world from its unique perspective.” As a child, lying in the dirt and spending days and hours observing my mother's plants, I contemplated all the elements in that small space as sentient beings, each with its own ecosystem.

As I grew older, I delved into Animism and Buddhist philosophy, which portray the universe as a state of chaos, where all life and beings experience existence and movement, both nurturing and resisting the chaos, thus possessing a form of 'spirit.'

My intellectual journey was profoundly shaped by the works of Dona Haraway, Timothy Morton, and Yuval Noah Harari. They each explore the world through diverse philosophical, scientific, and planetary lenses. However, what unites their perspectives is the concept of empathy. In the midst of today's rapid technological advancement, I often find myself lost. Yet, I remind myself that the more technology progresses, the more precious it becomes to embrace our human essence.

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic when I found myself safely cocooned at home. There was this overwhelming sense of disconnection, witnessing a portion of the world continue to thrive and grow within the confines of an online structure, all while another part of the world grappled with suffering and loss. I couldn't help but ponder whether our response to a global catastrophe, driven by politics, beliefs, privileges, and hierarchies, was uniquely human complexity. Or, when compared to the potential response of non-human entities, did our reaction seem simpler or more intricate?

I had no definitive answers then, and I still don't know. But it prompted me to turn my gaze towards the ocean, an enigmatic realm that remains largely uncharted by us. Specifically, I became fixated on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill of 2010. It sparked an initiative within me to embark on a project that delves into the themes of Planetary Coexistence, Empathy, and Kinship.

02 // RESEARCH

Our research focused on learning in-depth details and facts surrounding the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and its impact. In addition to using public data, we also make an effort to connect with organizations and individuals actively involved in conservation work. This enriches our comprehension of the spill’s enduring consequences.

03 // PITCH PHASE

When we initially chose to pursue a vertically ascending experience, we began the process of organizing levels and sections. This provided us with a clearer understanding of the pace and duration of the piece. Initial pitch deck below:

04 // TECHDEMO

We created a Tech Demo to assess technical workflows and explore the potential for real-time performance, including the visual aesthetics. Additionally, during this phase, we engaged a composer to collaborate in defining the musical tone. At this stage, we have decided on the direction of exploring the genre of "Live Cinema".

In distinguishing our performance from a typical club/VJ set, our aim was to introduce elements of Cinema by emphasizing narrative, documentary elements, voiceovers, sound design and cinematic visuals. Simultaneously, we retained the technical aspect by utilizing Unreal Engine, Midi, and Mocap gloves for interactive engagement with the audience.

4993 Feet Under: Peep Hole

A simulated free fall into the abyss of the Tiber Oil well, the deepest drilling hole known to humanity. As viewers descend, they are immersed in a symphony of industrial echoes, reflecting the ominous scale of man-made intervention. (Original oil field recording by Eric Chang)