salome

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  Counterclockwise

Inspiration

Counterclockwise: Ritual as Boundary

This project takes the peculiar Japanese ritual gesture of turning counterclockwise as its core concept.
Across traditions such as Chinowa Kuguri, many ceremonial practices involve circling to the left—a movement believed for centuries to dispel misfortune and purify spiritual impurities. This circular motion functions as a kind of threshold, a symbolic point where the everyday world brushes against the realm of the other.

Our work visualizes that sensation without leaning too heavily on overtly “Japanese” aesthetics, instead capturing the subtle tension, uncanny atmosphere, and liminality inherent in such rituals. The film evokes the feeling of stepping into a space just slightly misaligned with reality—strange, quiet, and evocative.

How we built it

Within a limited number of hours, our three-member team divided responsibilities and moved efficiently from asset generation to final editing.
All visuals were created using generative AI tools, while the music—crafted to follow the flow and atmosphere of the imagery—was composed by the musician on our team.

Challenges we ran into

Sharing information quickly was essential within the limited time we had.
We created a Discord server, and by continuously sharing the generated images and staying in constant dialogue, the time-related challenges became more manageable.

What we learned

Regarding the possibilities of AI, it goes without saying that it feels deeply connected to the future.
Of course, there are also concerns. As creative freedom expands and becomes accessible to everyone, it feels important not only to have technical skill but also to cultivate an inner philosophy that guides one’s expression.

Built With

• geminiapi
• hailuo
• kling
• midjourney
• obsidian
• runway