Excalibur Building — Beyond Us Studios

Project

Excalibur Building

Year

2023

Category

Concept Art

Art Direction

Architecture

Environment Design

Sculpture

Synopsis

Excalibur Building illustrates a towering structure to host international theatrical events. It presents a few aspects of environment design in a retro-futuristic, eco-brutalist narrative. This is part of our original IP A Fearless World.

Eco-brutalism

Architecture

Eco-brutalism as an architecture style and a movement is a combination of brutalism and greenery. Contextually, based on the history of the Soviet Era, brutalism represents power, extravagance, the post-modernist dream of utopia, and the potential of being oppressive. The prefix ‘eco’ refers to the fusion of the architecture to environmentally conscious designs - the organized flourishing of the plants.

This architectural approach, interpreted by the design of the Excalibur building, stirs up discussions to a point of view: glimpses of soothing moments across the cityscape attempting to mask a ”utopian” powerful order.

The concrete is harsh, cold and aged, displaying a sense of eeriness.

The sculpture is texturally brighter, standing out in the night.

An omni-nurturing utopian world may have already planted the seed of dystopia.

How shall a world thrive when the ultimate goal is to omit all drives?

Excalibur

Sculpture

The entrance of the Excalibur Building is donned with a collection of sculptures that tell story of the same name. It depicts the story arc in which Merlin, the Wizard assists King Arthur on his journey to find the ultimate weapon. It is the Excalibur, a sword forged in a realm beyond ours, which is given by the enchanted Lady of the Lake. This is one of the most theatrical tales to ever be recorded in the history of Western society. Although the characters of Merlin and King Arthur may have existed in reality, the mythological aspect is left for the modern audience to fathom.

Alchemical iconology

Symbolism

While Merlin’s staff resembles the symbol of Mercury, King Arthur’s chest holds the symbol of Gold. In alchemy, mercury is used to purify gold. It is Merlin’s knowledge that acts as the catalyst to the discovery of Excalibur, for King Arthur to reach his potential and realize the higher good.

The Lady of the Lake is presented as an arm holding the sheath upward to King Arthur, and the flowing body of ebbing water around the entrance. She is the definition of chaotic nature manifesting potential for order.