«We Are Near» is a series of collectible figurines created based on the eponymous social animated film for the Sisters Center for Survivors of Sexual Violence.
The project is rooted in the idea of support and connection between people. In the film, the characters exist on separate paper islands, divided by emptiness. Gradually, blue threads appear between them—symbols of actions that help people stop confronting their experiences alone.
The collection translates the film’s visual world into a physical space. Characters drawn with blue ballpoint pens become three-dimensional figurines, and crumpled paper islands transform into independent bases. The project preserves the distinctive graphic style of the original drawings: elongated proportions, simple silhouettes, minimalist faces, and handcrafted texture.
Each figurine exists on its own island. Individual objects can be placed near each other to form a cohesive composition that references the symbolism of the «Sisters» Center.
The islands are not required to touch: space is maintained between them, and a visual connection is created by a blue thread.
Thus, the collection conveys the central theme of the film: closeness and support are possible even when each person maintains their own space.
The figurines are based on the original character designs from the film. Their three-dimensional interpretation retains the simplicity of the lines and the recognizable proportions.
The bases resemble crumpled sheets of paper with uneven edges and a soft, textured relief of folds. The contrast between the paper texture and the sleek figurines continues the mixed-media aesthetic of the animation.
3D printing technology was selected for the creation of the collection. Original sketches are translated into digital three-dimensional models, after which the geometry is adapted to the technical constraints of production. The design allows for the creation of individual figurines and islets, as well as their combination into a unified composition.
«We Are Near» is a collectible piece that can exist as a standalone small sculpture or as part of a modular composition. The object continues the artistic world of the animated film, offering the viewer not only the chance to see the metaphor of support but also to interact with it physically.
