Digital Dalang: Shadows Out of Time will debut at Burning Man 2018 as an immersive and interactive shadow-puppet installation.
Indonesian American artist Ali Agus Ardie created the project.
He combined traditional wayang kulit with modern digital projection mapping to bring the experience to life.
Set to appear as a main playa installation, the work aligns with this year’s festival theme, i, Robot.
The project draws deep inspiration from Indonesian culture.
It invites visitors to engage not only as spectators but also as active puppeteers or dalangs.
The team uses custom software developed by artist and programmer Gato Latex.
He designed it to project visual and sound effects onto the moving shadows, giving the audience an additional layer of interaction.
The creators said Digital Dalang is the first project to use digital mapping in this way.
They highlighted how new projection technology lets the traditional art form transform into a modern multimedia experience.
Read more: Kygo Set to Bring His 2018 Jakarta Show to Life
The metal stage, fabricated and assembled by a Texas-based team, mirrors the intricate craftsmanship of traditional puppets.
Once night falls, the screen rises.
The puppets then come to life as the Indonesian design team syncs light, sound, and visuals with their shifting shadows.
A Hatchfund campaign helps support the project, and additional funding will assist Indonesian artisans who craft the puppets for the installation.
Digital Dalang will also extend its impact beyond the art installation.
The team plans to support the Rainforest Pavilion, a nonprofit DJ collective.
This group focuses on raising awareness about the world’s tropical rainforests and the urgent need to protect them.
The group focuses on conservation efforts in regions like Indonesia, where rapid development threatens natural habitats.
For more information, audiences can visit VividKalimantan.com.
