Artist Statement
Harnessing the ominous ambience of lighting, tone, and structure; We follow a lone 14th century plague doctor throughout the stages of a local pandemic. Each piece offers a different tonal range, all the while staying cohesive to itself. The use of lighting and atmosphere was a major focus for this project. Highlighting practical sources of lighting, the colour temperature of each location is vastly different to provide a more in-depth look of the universe.
At first we see the doctor urgently trying to warn the townspeople of oncoming peril. Something that is very true to form even in our modern day. We see onlookers both shocked, and skeptic. The color palette was referenced as to resemble early-morning light (purple, with natural greens).
In the next piece, the doctor discovers the first death. Using an extreme low wide-angle, the viewer is left regarding the doctor as a “hero” and is now someone who can change the fate of the people. The colour palette is grey, ominous, and monochromatic – as to reference the loss of life that has just occurred.
The search for the cure is the next piece of the story. After days of the doctor trying to find a plausible antidote – we see him lift a vial to the light in both curiosity and subtle victory. In his private chambers of isolation, the main light source is from windows. Giving the room a warm glow and ambience. Yellow tones of lighting are used in this piece to resemble a shred of hope and positivity amongst the current times.
Amongst all the death, loss, and confusion. We see the doctor walking the streets assessing the damage and death toll. Lit only by candlelight, the lumens and
atmospheric haze come into heavy effect. The familiar warm glow of the single flame is a symbol of hope. As the doctor didn’t find a cure – the search for answers must continue.