Clocktower Cat

In December of 2023, I was invited to create an animation that would be projected on the Daniels & Fisher Tower in Downtown Denver. This was part of an ongoing initiative called Night Lights Denver, a collection of light and projection-based art installations throughout the downtown area. The nature of the project required an extreme vertical aspect ratio, a bright and saturated color palette for optimum visibility, and content that is appropriate for general audiences, as the piece would be visible from the street. I also chose to incorporate the windows of the tower, some of which were lit during the projection.

Clocktower Cat captures the enchanting curiosity of a cat playing with something only they can see. The abstract background was created in 3D software, while the cat is a digitally drawn stop motion animation made up of over 700 individual frames. The style of the drawing is hand-done and imperfect with visible brushstrokes, but the cat’s overall movement is smooth and authentic. The cat always appears as a silhouette, for maximum visibility against the colorful gradient background. The animation is fun, lighthearted, and playful, and appeals to viewers of all ages.