8 minutes and 19 seconds
16:9 aspect ratio
The enchanting tale of “Paisley’s Odyssey” is an exploration of identity and belonging, viewed through the lens of the paisley design. The animation blurs the lines of history from an archaeological perspective with fable, fantasy, and myth.
Paisley is a water creature whose peaceful existence is shattered when the scorching sun tears it apart, forcing it to try and piece itself back together.
Rakhsh, a fearless horse from the literary story of the Shahnameh, strikes a deal with Paisley. He will help Paisley find water and regain its true form, but the catch is a transformation that blurs their memories.
As they journey through lands filled with wonder and enchantment, they pass through the mystical Gate of Agra, deepening their bond, and they transform yet again. Wisdom is found in the form of an elephant, but a twist awaits when they’re mistaken as a decorative object by an officer from a distant land. The visuals subtly hint at the interconnected visual relationships that develop through colonial occupation.
The story reaches its climax with the arrival of a storm, and Paisley’s long-lost mother takes it home. However, the home they return to is not what they remember, leading Paisley to discover its true origin and the ever-changing nature of its existence – it comes from water, and its odyssey is an eternal cycle of transformation and self-discovery.
