Apollo and Daphne is an experimental first-person, clay and paper stop-motion animation that explores the themes of patriarchal oppression and the collective fear women face in a male-dominated society. This piece reinterprets the Greek mythological story of Apollo and Daphne through a contemporary feminist lens.

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    The narrative begins with Apollo's infatuated and relentless pursuit of Daphne. Embodying the plight of many women under the patriarchal gaze, Daphne flees in terror, seeking the protection of her father, the god of the river. Just as Apollo is about to capture her, Daphne's desperate plea is answered - her father transforms her into a laurel tree. Nevertheless, Apollo takes branches from the tree to make a crown, symbolizing his continued desire to possess and control.

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    Set to the melody of Synrix by Claude Debussy, the animation draws a parallel to Syrinx, another female figure in Greek mythology who transformed herself into reeds to escape the god Pan. 

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    I tried to use clay and paper to bring a tactile, organic quality to the story. The clay hands of Daphne and the light representing the sun are used to capture the raw emotion and dynamic movement of the chase.