Serpentine Seasons
Animated Video for Zhejiang University
This AI generated video reinterprets the legend of the White Snake through the 24 Solar Terms, blending Chinese folklore with generative technology. Using text to video synthesis and style transfer, it visualizes seasonal changes as emotional and environmental shifts. The nonlinear narrative reflects the character's journey through time and nature, creating a poetic, immersive experience. The work explores how artificial intelligence can preserve and transform cultural heritage through dynamic digital storytelling.
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Download Press Kit № 172658 Animated Video for Zhejiang University by Zhou Leijing to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.
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Serpentine Seasons by Zhou Leijing
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Animated Video by Zhou Leijing
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Zhou Leijing Serpentine Seasons
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Zhou Leijing Animated Video
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Unique Properties
This AI-generated video integrates the legendary White Snake with the 24 Solar Terms, creating a unique fusion of Chinese mythology and traditional timekeeping. Utilizing advanced AI visual synthesis, the design captures the poetic rhythm of nature, presenting dynamic seasonal transitions through the lens of folklore. Its innovation lies in blending cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology, offering an immersive and visually stunning interpretation of time and transformation.
Tags
AIGC, White Snake, 24 Solar Terms, Chinese culture, folklore, generative art, digital storytelling, seasonal transitions, style transfer, cultural innovation
Production Technology
We adopt the technologies of Text-to-Video and Style Transfer to ensure that the images not only possess Eastern aesthetics but also conform to the characteristics of the solar terms. The AI tools we use include Midjourney (text-to-image) and runway (image-to-video), among others.
Design Challenge
The main challenge lay in blending traditional cultural narratives with cutting-edge AI technology. Balancing the integrity of the White Snake legend with the technical demands of AI-driven storytelling required careful cultural research and innovative thinking. External challenges included limited AI tools capable of translating the complexity of seasonal transitions into a cohesive narrative, while internal obstacles involved aligning the visual and emotional tone of the project with the original folklore’s themes of love and transformation.
Project Duration
The project started in October 2024 in China and finished in March 2025 in China.
Operation Flow
The video flows in a nonlinear narrative, where the White Snake interacts with the changing seasons represented by the 24 Solar Terms. As the seasons progress, the environment adapts, with the character's emotions and actions shifting in response to the natural world. The interaction between AI and cultural symbols enhances the depth of storytelling, offering viewers an evolving experience where each transition aligns with the thematic shifts of the Solar Terms.
Research
Type of Research: Design Research Research Objectives: To explore how AI can be used to reimagine traditional folklore in a contemporary digital medium. Methodology: A combination of AI video generation, style transfer, and cultural analysis was employed to develop the design. Data Collection and Research Tools: AI modeling software, video editing tools, and cultural research databases. Participants or Experiments: The research involved collaboration with digital artists and AI specialists. Results: A seamless integration of traditional folklore with modern AI technology, creating an immersive digital experience. Insights and Impacts: The project demonstrates the potential of AI in preserving and transforming cultural heritage in innovative ways, with implications for the future of digital storytelling and design. Effect in Real-Life Phenomena: The project contributes to the discourse on digital culture and the role of AI in cultural preservation, impacting both artistic practices and public engagement with folklore.
Inspiration
Inspired by the legend of the White Snake and the 24 Solar Terms, this project seeks to explore the intersection of mythology, nature, and time. Drawing from traditional Chinese philosophy, it visualizes seasonal transformations through AI-generated imagery, merging folklore with technology. Rooted in research on computational creativity and cultural storytelling, this work reinterprets ancient narratives using modern digital techniques, offering a novel perspective on tradition and innovation.
Project Overview
Serpentine Seasons Animated Video has been a Iron winner in the Generative, Algorithmic, Parametric and AI-Assisted Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.
Image Credits
For design images and photos please credit Zhou Leijing.
Iron Recognition
Zhou Leijing was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Serpentine Seasons Animated Video.
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