THE INVERTED REALM

Background
Inspired by The Netherlandish Proverbs, THE INVERTED REALM explores the contrast between the familiar real world and the strange world hidden within the painting. Blending the atmosphere of A Christmas Carol and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the story follows a short-tempered worker who enters this mysterious realm and encounters the Traveler, Villagers, Fool and Messenger. Through a series of surreal and unexpected encounters, he gradually learns how to see the world and others differently.

Design Process
The biggest challenge was creating a convincing medieval-inspired world on a very limited budget, using silhouette, texture and layering to achieve a richer visual language with simple materials. The Fool was particularly challenging: rather than making him simply chaotic or eccentric, I wanted him to feel both mysterious and quietly profound. Alongside this, the costumes needed to accommodate rapid changes between characters. These limitations ultimately pushed the design towards a highly practical yet theatrical solution, with the final effect working exceptionally well on stage.