Frog Ballet (Niceaunties)
Video, 2023
About the artwork
This AI film further develops the character of the frog, an enigmatic assistant in the Auntieverse. Previously portrayed as a vain character fond of wearing wigs, this episode takes a different turn, showing the frog attending ballet classes to practice graceful movements. The film delves into themes of body image, physical training, and confidence, culminating in scenes where the aunties pose and flex their muscles, reminiscent of bodybuilding contests. This shift in focus highlights the frog's journey towards self-improvement and confidence, framed within the supportive community of aunties.
This AI film is created, animated, and edited by Niceaunties in the programmes Dalle3 and Runwayml.
Sound design by Niceaunties
Audio explanation
Listen to Niceaunties discuss this work.
Niceaunties is a contemporary artist and designer based in Singapore. Drawing inspiration from the influential women in her family and the distinct 'auntie culture,' her work explores themes of ageing, beauty, personal freedom, and everyday life through AI and digital art. Her life experiences and architectural training inform the conceptual basis of her pieces, while her focus on the nuanced behaviours of 'aunties' highlights the culture prevalent in Asian communities.
These women, embodying a spectrum from strange and funny to mean and kind, profoundly influenced the artist's early life and creative narrative, laying the foundation for the unique storytelling of "Niceaunties." Exploring themes like aging, beauty, personal freedom, and the nuances of everyday life, Niceaunties expresses her vision through the mediums of generative and digital art. Her creations are marked by an amalgamation of surrealism, fantasy, and the vibrant aesthetics of kawaii culture.
Influenced by surreal art, fantasy, and kawaii culture, Niceaunties' art champions empowerment and self-expression.