Mythozoo

Fig: 1 -Fictional stories have always attracted us and fuelled our imagination

STORIES OF LEGENDS AND MYTHS

In ancient times the great monsters of Greek mythology were an ever-present threat to humans. One grew up hearing fearsome stories of dangerous monsters and fearless warriors. It was also a time when people still believed in magic. 
 
A time when people grew up in a world that was co-habited by Centaurs, Scylaa, Minatours, Chimaera and even Cyclops.  Unfortunately, as each of these creatures that menaced the world were defeated by heroes, warriors and Gods, their stories became mere parts of the mythology. Hardly anyone remembered seeing these creatures in the flesh and fewer still remembered magic. 

Yet it is said that they continue to exist amidst us, more hidden than ever before. 

As fewer children grow up believing in this magical world, perhaps it may be interesting for us to consider creating spaces where one can interact with these creatures without life-threatening harm. 

Fig: 2 - Humans have imagined entire imaginary worlds consisting of mythical/made up creatures

ZOOS FOR MYTHICAL CREATURES 

The value of a Zoo today is being debated the world over. On one hand, it allows people who have no access to the wild world, a safe controlled environment to learn about animals and be inspired in efforts of conservation and environmental protection. 

On the other hand, they are spaces where animals are artificially curated and habited in controlled spaces that are often far from their natural lifestyles. The primary concerns with zoos are animal exploitation and the limited availability of space afforded to the once wild animals. 

Fortunately for us, our imagination and magic don’t have the same limitations. Both these realms bend the logic of the world and are not limited to tangible realities. 

The human imagination can truly run wild and think up worlds and possibilities unhindered by reality. Just take Newt Scamander’s suitcase of rescued mystical creatures for example.  

Fig: 3 - What will your mythical zoo look like?

BRIEF OF THE COMPETITION

If we are to remember our magical pasts, it may be valuable to consider how we might create opportunities to interact with the creatures of that world. 

A possible way in which we can experience the past in controlled and safe environments is by imagining fantastical zoos where visitors can learn and engage with the creatures of lore. 

For this challenge, you must visualize one such zoo for Greek mythological creatures. 

The designed zoo may borrow from existing real-life zoo practices but remember not to exploit the animals.  The zoo must comprise various enclosures for the animals that reflect their natural habitats. 

Visitors must not only be able to see the creatures but must also be given opportunities to learn about them and their histories as well as imagined conservational activities related to the species.  

OBJECTIVES

• Understand: Understand the creatures and their histories that you intend to include in your zoo
• Visualize: Ideate and visually depict the envisioned zoo and the experiences that it affords 
• Educate: How does the zoo help educate and grow awareness of these creatures and their histories. 

CONSTRAINTS

You may present your work in the form of illustrations/images or 3D renderings. The design must clearly communicate the fantastical context and how you perceive a zoo for magical creatures. 

DELIVERABLES

You have to deliver a graphic/visual outcome representing the given theme, based on the following outlines. The images should be of size [2800px x 3200px] in portrait or landscape digital format (JPEG only). 

The graphic may be entirely hand-drawn and rendered, digitally created, or a combination of both. The usage of photographs, stylized/credited or otherwise, directly is strictly not allowed. 

The use of lassoed graphics lifted from an existing image is limited to half of the total graphic. (The guidelines are indicative, and are placed only to reduce plagiarized artworks – any infringement detected or reported will be notified, and may be removed from competition if found guilty)

The list of deliverables are:

1.    Title
2.    Subtitle
3.    Illustration/images or 3D renderings x 3
4.    A few process images
5.    Additional cover image of 2000px x 1000px
6.    A statement in about 200 words supporting the visuals - You can attach this as an additional image below your artwork.