From the creator:
I was invited by On Being to bring Rumi's "The World” to life, the legendary 13th-century mystic and poet.
I wanted to treat this piece like a short film, where we are taken on a journey through understanding Rumi’s teachings with this central character and the choices they make along the way. Through the narrative we gather how Rumi’s words are just as applicable in our lives today, as they were in the 13th-century.
Using a range of scanned textures and brushes, mixed with the sharp nature of vector shapes, gave the animation a balance of hand and computer creation.
"The World" is a part of On Being's animated poetry series. Watch the other animations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqjezunjhSykPh49Lg8CWHULQ6_JWp5A8
Read by Fatemeh Keshavarz
Commissioned by The On Being Project
Animated by Ella Dobson
Sound by Chris Heagle