Alice Abstract

CP:  If the hallucinative condition of Alice in Wonderland syndrome were applied to a new protagonist how would this then affect the design of the inhabitants and the world of Wonderland?

Description:

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s adventures in Wonderland Is the story of a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole in the fantasy world of Wonderland. Where she meets strange and interesting characters, the narrative is nonsensical and seems to follow the structure familiar to that of a dream or hallucination.

Research:

As part of my research I referred to theoretical analysis of Alice in Wonderland and things relating to it. Part of my research led me to an interesting find of a disorienting condition called Alice in Wonderland syndrome. It is a neurological condition that effects human perception.  “The patient complains of visual, auditory and tactile hallucinations and altered perceptions.” Alteration of body image, parts of their body are perceived incorrectly also distorted time perception, time moving quickly or slowly.

American McGee’s Alice somewhat uses this notion. In his re-telling, Alice suffers the loss of her family in a horrific fire and is institutionalised into Rutlidge asylum. She slowly loses touch with reality and is sucked back into Wonderland that has been twisted by her own broken mind.

Strategy:

Using this concept of Alice in Wonderland syndrome, I would like to apply this condition to a different protagonist. Explore a new context for the protagonist and apply their perception to the world of Wonderland. Exploring new character design possibilities for Iconic Wonderland characters and re-creating the scenes in an exhibition format that would visually differentiate but retain the familiarities to Wonderland.