ANIMATED FILM
Art concept and animation: TT HernandezThe 6-minute animated film, placed at the heart of the mobile experience, is created by the American artist TT Hernandez, in stop-motion. A visual artist, illustrator and animator, TT’s films are inspired by the erasure technique invented by South African artist William Kentridge, “the poor man’s animation”.
Created on a single charcoal drawing, it is transformed by the additions and deletions, the artist taking photos of each step of the drawing to create the animation.
In 2008, at age twelve, Chance was abducted by the NDC, an active guerrilla group in Eastern Congo, while visiting his older sister in Mubi in the province of North Kivu.
After a long night of walking in the bush, Chance learned, that he and the other 60 captives were now under the order of Tcheka, a notorious warlord and leader of the NDC. Despite his tender age Chance was taught how to fight and train to kill. To do so he and the other minors were often given alcohol and drugs. When he wasn’t fighting Chance was ordered to guard some mines under the rebel group’s control and forced to dig for gold and cassiterite in hazardous conditions.
During his 6 year ordeal many of the other child soldiers and forced miners around him died – some shot, some buried under collapsed rocks. Many more tried to escape.
Over time tensions within the rebel group grew, as the two leaders fought over the control of it. At times Chance felt the guards’ attention was slipping. One day while in-group fighting broke out, Chance saw an opportunity to escape. It was the second time but this time he seized the favorable moment and ran away into the forest. For two days he avoided any human contact, until finally he met an old man, he felt he could trust. Thanks to him Chance found his way back to his village where he was reunited with his family.
TT Hernandez
TT Hernandez is a multidisciplinary artist, fascinated by the human experience. Through live performance, animation, interactive sculpture, and illustration, she engages with the senses of her audience and collaborators, striving to evoke specific moods, and experiences to explore the richness of our collective creativity and resiliency.
Her work has been featured prominently in the Boston Globe and shown at the Boston Sculptors Gallery, the Distillery Gallery, the Irish consulate and more. She holds a BFA from Tufts University and was invited to become a visiting artist at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She has captured the visual narrative for award winning poets, international journalists, lauded composers, and New York Times best selling authors.
Hernandez is currently based in northern California, empowering artists and thinkers to manifest ideas that matter. Through art making and one-on-one coaching, TT is committed to supporting creators of all types in their pursuit to strengthen inner trust, live authentically, and express themselves fully.
Website: TThernandez.com
Email: tt@tthernandez.com
Instagram: @coach4creativeminds
