Description

Inspired by one of the most famous episodes from Homer’s Odyssey, this 3D printed book-style diorama recreates the escape from the Cyclops Polyphemus.

In the story, Odysseus and his surviving men escape from the Cyclops’ cave by hiding beneath his sheep. Polyphemus checks the animals as they leave, but the men remain hidden underneath and manage to escape.

I wanted to capture that moment using several layered scenes:

• Back layer: Polyphemus, the giant Cyclops, watching over the cave
• Middle layer: three sheep moving toward the exit
• Front layer: Odysseus and his men hiding beneath them
• Backlighting: adds depth and turns the scene into an illuminated shadow-box display

The outside is designed like an old decorative edition of The Odyssey, with Greek-inspired ornamentation and a large Cyclops eye on the cover. When the book is opened, the story hidden inside is revealed.

The idea was to make it feel as though you are literally opening Homer’s epic and watching one of its most iconic scenes come to life.

Everything was designed with 3D printing in mind, using contrasting layers and colors to keep the story readable while creating depth inside the book.

A book on the outside. A scene from The Odyssey hidden within.

Assembly added in the picture.