TongHai GaoTai 2066 was exhibited in June 2025 at OOTFest25(UN)SEEN in London, presented by Open Online Theatre and IJAD Dance Company.
This immersive VR interactive performance was the result of over six months of dedication, imagination, and refined craftsmanship by myself and other talented team members, culminating in a shared experience with global audiences.
The piece reimagines a sacred ritual performance that has been passed down for over 400 years. "Tonghai Gaotai" originated during the Ming and Qing dynasties in Tonghai, Yunnan. As a form of folk art, it involves children dressed as deities being lifted onto tall platforms, often referred to as “suspended theatres.”
In this project, I worked as the Digital Fashion Designer, responsible for the design and production of a series of garments featuring custom prints and fabric simulations that were integrated with character animations.
In the following content, all garments were designed, produced, and simulated by me.
Special thanks to the team:
Director: Wanrong Zhu
Digital Makeup Designer: Wanrong Zhu
Animation & 3D GaoTai Designer: Wanrong Zhu
Technical Artist: Mengzhi He
Digital Fashion Designers Yiran Zhou / Yining Wang
Digital Accessories Designer: Yisong Huang
Musicians & Sound Designers: willlillliw / liberterminus
Motion Capture Technicians: Janmejay Singh / Wanrong Zhu
Motion Capture Performers: UK Chinese Theatre / Jingkun Chinese Theatre