Hana Levey
St Philip's Christian College - Waratah
HOW TO MAKE A TERU BŌZU
Time-Based Forms
Digital mediums
My body of work examines the stark shift from nostalgic childhood wonderment to a cynical world outlook. My 2D animated short film was inspired by my experience of changing cultural settings. It investigates the effects this sort of change can have on a person’s sense of place in the world, conveying the constant struggle of losing touch with one's childhood and cultural background. Countering these struggles is the teru teru bōzu, a traditional rain charm made by Japanese children, including me, to ward off the rain. It represents the powerful ability of nostalgic traditions to restore hope and identity.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the artist Hayao Miyazaki.
Marker's Commentary
How to make a Teru Teru Bozu is a personal 2D time-based animation that captures the struggles and anxiety of an HSC student. The opening scene shows a young boy making a Teru Teru Bozu, a Japanese rain charm, that miraculously brings out the sunshine. The next scene contrasts this nostalgic memory, as the boy is now grown up and dealing with the stress of exams and school. Rain precipitates all around him, annoying his classmates until the deluge finally engulfs him. He finds solace in the Teru Teru Bozu, which appears in his time of need and restores his joy in life. This animation uses strong, linear visuals to convey a complex emotional narrative through symbols of rain, the clock and the titular doll. The work engages thoughtfully with the genre of anime and explores themes of place and identity that resonate with adolescents. The subtle audio cues complement the stunning imagery to deliver a sophisticated body of work.