Other Spring

by zzyw

A docufiction that investigates the societal implications of computational mediation, automation, and artificial intelligence.

Other Spring" (OS) is a speculative worldbuilding project presented as a docufiction that critically examines the mediating effects of computational media, automation, and artificial intelligence on society and culture. The backdrop of the world is inspired by the ancient Chinese fable “The Peach Blossom Spring,” a story featuring a village shielded from famine, war, and strife thanks to its elusive and isolated nature. Through the design of the world of Other Spring, we explore an alternative path for the philosophy of technology, questioning our society’s current trajectory focused on efficiency, transactional interaction, and the infinite desire to quantify and make transparent the world we live in and create.

  • Film snapshot: UNO, by zzyw.

  • Film snapshot: OS Village, by zzyw.

  • Other Spring displayed at the Deep Space of Ars Electronica, 2023, in Linz, Austria. (Credit: Deep Space 8K, Photo by Martin Hieslmair), by zzyw.

  • Film snapshot: UNO’s Observational Center, by zzyw.

  • Film snapshot, by zzyw.

Credits

Directed and Written by zzyw (Zhenzhen Qi and Yang Wang)

Creative Producer: Matthew Doyle

Research Architect: Junling Zhuang
Worldmaking Architect: Mehrdad Ranjbar
UE5 Technical Art Generalist: Cecil Boey
Graphic Design / Film Editor: Qinru Zhang
Music Composer: Maxwell Sterling

Consultants:

Qifan Pu, Ph.D (Consultancy on Cryptography)
Kevin Chen, Ph.D (Consultancy on Cryptography)
Hanwen Zhang (Guest Critic)
Huiqi He (Consultancy on Cinematography)
Yuehao Jiang (Guest Critic)

Special Thanks

The project is sponsored by Hyundai Motor’s 5th VH Award and premiered on May 2nd, 2023.