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Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Poster
Degree Type
Graduate
Department
Creative Technologies
Mentor
Dr. Annie Sungkajun
Mentor Department
Creative Technologies
Co-Mentor
Dr. Kristin Carlson
Co-Mentor Department
Creative Technologies
Abstract
Nigeria is home to a rich diversity of cultural fabrics worn by its many ethnic groups. Among these, Ankara, also known as African wax print, is the most widely used. This vibrant textile, characterized by bold patterns and colors, is a staple in clothing across West and Central Africa and serves as a classic representation of Nigerian culture and society. It is deeply embedded in Nigerian life, from media to arts and fashion.
Ankara in Motion is a multimedia installation that reimagines these fabrics through motion design, projection mapping and augmented reality (AR). It blends digital animation with physical textiles and portraiture to create an immersive visual experience. Inspired by artists Tonia Nneji and Yinka Shonibare, who are of Nigerian descent and prominently feature cultural fabrics in their works, this project explores the intersection of fashion, technology, and cultural storytelling through an Afrofuturist lens.
The installation consists of digitally painted portraits and plain fabrics brought to life with animated Ankara patterns. The patterns, drawn from traditional Ankara designs, are digitally recreated and animated into dynamic displays. The portraits depict subjects wearing ankara patterns that transition into animated sequences when viewed from an AR-enabled device to create an interactive visual experience that highlights the diversity of both the people and the patterns. Then through projection mapping, these animations are cast onto physical textiles.
By centralizing African narratives, Ankara in Motion encourages African stories to be told by Africans, who can offer the depth and cultural nuance often missed by Western media when representing Africa's diverse countries and cultures. This research examines how motion design can transform traditional fabric into an evolving visual medium, encouraging new perspectives on the preservation and reinterpretation of African aesthetics. Through this fusion of digital media and textile art, Ankara in Motion seeks to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, engaging audiences in a reimagined experience of African fashion and identity.
Looking ahead, Ankara in Motion aims to expand its technological and interactive elements to create an even more immersive experience. Future iterations will incorporate camera tracking to project animated patterns directly onto viewers, allowing them to become part of the installation. Additionally, motion tracking will allow the animations to evolve in response to audience movements, creating a dynamic interaction between the viewer and the digital Ankara patterns. These advancements will transform Ankara in Motion into a living, responsive art piece that redefines African textiles in contemporary media.
Recommended Citation
Olutomiwa, Fikayo, "Ankara In Motion" (2025). University Research Symposium. 505.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/rsp_urs/505
