The Power of Poison

THINK

"The Power of Poison" exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History opened on November 16th, 2013. One of the main features is the Book of Poisons - 46 inches wide and 31 inches tall with heavy, parchmentlike pages that evoke a magical medieval handwritten book from which one can explore the ancient knowledge of different kinds of poisons.

MAKE

"But the pages are screens for projected images, and the illustrations respond to the touch. Belladonna and hemlock plants burst into bloom, accompanied by explanations; drawings give way to animations, showing, for example, why rhododendron is known in some regions as “goat-bane”: animals can die from munching its leaves. As you turn each enormous sheet, it goes blank, and a new set of images coalesce on the next page. The technology is entirely in service to an aura of antique magic (or its Harry Potterish imitation)." - NYTimes

PLAY

"The Power of Poison" exhibit was designed for the American Museum of Natural History in November, 2013.

• Date: November 2013
• Tools: After Effects
• Animation by: Xuedi Chen