Time Capsule- I
Task: Select 3 to 8 objects that hold significance and encapsulate a story worth preserving in a time capsule. Narrate their story using a social media platform.
Links to the video works:
The objects I chose:
Introduction:
Phone Stand
Introduction:
Phone Stand
Introduction:
For the past four years, this self-made wooden phone stand has been a constant companion. Initially crafted in a wood workshop to aid in shooting stop-motion videos and making video calls, it became indispensable after I moved away from home and country. From propping up my phone in the kitchen for recipes to placing it by the shower to listen to the radio, this stand adapts to every corner of my life.
It’s not just functional but deeply personal, carrying marks of projects like my oil-painted film and symbolizing resilience and resourcefulness.
Ideation:
Inspired by absurdly cheesy advertisements, I created a satirical ad for this stand. The idea stemmed from how I often “advertise” its qualities to anyone who notices it.
Process:
Shot 360-degree stop-motion footage of the stand in six locations.
Used After Effects for video composition, combining images of stereotypical salesmen and exaggerated visuals for “intelligence” and “success.”
Styled the video in a retro 90s aesthetic with flat colors and square Instagram framing.
I collected some pictures of cliché salesmen and google images of “intelligence, depression and success”.
Outcome:
The ad, titled ‘Bakwaas Ad, First Class Product’ (Crappy Ad, Brilliant Product), is a tongue-in-cheek homage to classic print ads. It was uploaded to Instagram to engage with a creative audience.
Watch it here: https://www.instagram.com/gojagaaji/
You can check out the full video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGoPBMJJmNH/
Cup, Bowl, Plate, Spoon
Introduction:
Cup, Bowl, Plate, Spoon
Introduction:
This dining set has been a cornerstone of my daily routine for over five years. It began as a necessity when I moved to Germany, helping me navigate the challenges of new surroundings. These objects are perfectly sized, making them ideal for meals like muesli and chai or late-night omelets.
They became a symbol of stability during moments of anxiety or accidents, reminding me of the comfort in routine.
Ideation:
After leaving the original set behind during my move from Cologne to New York, I rediscovered their significance through an old photo. This sparked a creative journey that evolved into an animated tribute.
Process:
- Created 300+ hand-drawn variations of the dining set and animated them in After Effects.
- Recorded and layered a repetitive “Everyday” audio track for the soundtrack.
- Published the looped animation as a high-resolution video on Vimeo.
Outcome:
A reflective piece encapsulating how mundane routines ground us in unpredictable times.
Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/user21913710
Magical Threads
Magical Threads
Introduction:
These threads, gifted by my grandmother, hold memories of childhood creativity and her wisdom. Passed down from Lucknow to New York, they’ve been used sparingly for meaningful projects, such as stitching masks during the pandemic.
Ideation:
Their journey, spanning decades and continents, felt deeply personal. I chose Instagram Stories to share their story, allowing it to exist briefly yet impactfully.
Outcome:
A poignant narrative of heritage and resilience, shared with my audience for 24 hours.
Zines about Nothing
Zines About Nothing
Introduction:
Writing and illustrating zines have been my way of processing the world around me. From bureaucratic frustrations to moments of personal anxiety, these zines capture fleeting emotions in an 8-page, foldable format. My favorite is Attachments, which reflect on how material objects shape our emotional landscapes.
Ideation:
I shared the zines on Behance and Facebook to reach a dual audience: Behance for its art-centric viewers and Facebook for its memory-sharing feature.
Process:
Used Krita for illustrations and Photoshop for layout.
Printed on affordable A3 paper that folds into compact zines, doubling as posters when unfolded.
Outcome:
A series of deeply personal and relatable narratives available for exploration on Behance and shared on Facebook.
Conclusion:
These objects, whether mundane or sentimental, carry stories of adaptation, routine, creativity, and resilience. Through animations, zines, and videos, they’ve been preserved not just in a time capsule but also in digital narratives accessible to a broader audience.
Would love to hear your thoughts or stories of similar objects!
