World Building

The World Building Project (WBP) aims to develop a comprehensive repository of material that serves as a library upon which participants in the Blended Shadow Puppet (BSP) project can draw. This effort is rooted deeply in real-world history, with each fictive element connected to existing cultures, historical events, or philosophies from our world. By maintaining these connections, the WBP ensures that all new content is historically and culturally grounded, enriching the narratives and performances of the BSP project.

A consistent world is crucial because it allows for a cohesive backdrop across the various artistic expressions within BSP, including traditional shadow puppetry and innovative technologies like AI and virtual environments. The WBP serves as a research-backed foundation, guiding the storytelling and performance aspects while linking them to real-world references, making the universe richer and more accessible for participants and audiences.

This comprehensive world-building process supports cross-disciplinary collaboration, drawing from history, geography, culture, and politics to create a space where students, researchers, and artists can contribute to a living, evolving universe. The BSP project thus becomes a testing ground for exploring how tradition and innovation can coalesce into immersive, meaningful experiences, with the world-building framework providing the stability and depth necessary for these explorations.

History

Political History

Explore the political rise and fall of kingdoms, empires, and city-states, tracing major power shifts and dynastic changes. Define key political figures and movements that have influenced the governance and social structure of the world. Connect these developments to Earth-based political systems like monarchies, republics, or tribal councils, grounding them in recognizable historical patterns.

Military History

Document major wars, battles, and conflicts that shaped territorial borders and political power. Detail the evolution of warfare tactics, weaponry, and notable military leaders. These conflicts mirror real-world historical events such as the Punic Wars, Napoleonic campaigns, or medieval crusades, linking them to strategies, alliances, and conquests that resonate with Earth’s history.

Cultural History

Trace the development of art, music, literature, and religious practices that define the world's cultural identity. Identify pivotal moments where cultures clashed, exchanged, or evolved. Relate these cultural shifts to significant real-world eras like the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, or ancient oral traditions, demonstrating how art and culture evolve in response to societal changes.

Economic History

Analyze how trade routes, economies, and resource management influenced the growth of civilizations. Explain the rise of merchant classes, guilds, and trade networks. Link these developments to historical trade routes like the Silk Road or the Hanseatic League, emphasizing the movement of goods, wealth, and ideas across vast territories and how they shaped societies.

Social History

Examine the social hierarchies, family structures, and gender roles that define interpersonal relationships within the world. Consider how class systems and societal roles developed over time. Compare these structures to real-world examples, such as the caste system in India or the social mobility seen in Western democracies, allowing for deep reflection on the complexities of societal development.

Religious History

Develop a rich tapestry of religions, cults, and spiritual movements that influence societal values and cultural practices. These religions might include pantheons, nature worship, or monotheistic systems. Connect these belief systems to Earth’s major religions like Christianity, Hinduism, or ancient polytheistic traditions, exploring how faith and power intertwine.

Technological and Scientific History

Chart the development of technology and scientific thought, from the early inventions that shaped agriculture and warfare to the breakthrough discoveries in astronomy, alchemy, or medicine. Connect these innovations to historical moments like the Industrial Revolution or the Enlightenment’s scientific achievements, grounding the world’s technological progress in real-world advancements.

Geography/Map Making

Define the geographical features, biomes, and ecosystems that shape civilizations, cultures, and trade. Highlight how mountains, rivers, forests, and deserts influence the development of societies. Relate these features to real-world geography, such as how the Nile shaped ancient Egypt or how the Himalayas acted as a barrier for cultural exchange in Asia.

Physical Geography

Study natural features such as mountains, rivers, oceans, and plains. Focus on how these landscapes shape the environment, evolving through natural processes like tectonics and erosion. This serves as the base for mapping the world’s terrain.

Climate and Weather

Investigate climate zones and weather patterns, focusing on atmospheric systems that shape ecosystems. Study long-term climatic effects and phenomena like storms, droughts, and seasons, independent of human activity.

Biogeography

Examine the distribution of plant and animal life, identifying how ecosystems and biomes form based on geography. This creates a foundation for understanding the world’s natural diversity and resource availability.

Human Geography

Explore how human populations interact with their environments, focusing on urban development, agriculture, and resource use. Study how natural geography influences human settlement and the evolution of cities and trade routes.

Political Geography

Analyze how geographic borders affect political boundaries, territorial control, and power dynamics. Investigate the role of natural barriers in shaping political landscapes and conflicts.

Cultural Geography

Examine how geography influences cultural identity, regional customs, and traditions. Explore the connections between landscapes and cultural development, including how natural resources shape artistic and spiritual practices.

Social Sciences

This category explores human societies, focusing on their governance, economic systems, social interactions, and cultural practices. It analyzes the structures and dynamics that shape daily life and societal development.

Political Science

Examine government systems, political ideologies, and power structures, relating them to real-world examples like democracies, monarchies, or authoritarian regimes.

Economics

Explore the allocation of resources, distribution of wealth, and the functioning of economies, connecting these systems to Earth's economic models such as capitalism or feudalism.

Sociology

Investigate social structures, class systems, and community interactions, analyzing how these factors shape behaviors and societal norms, with parallels to real-world social phenomena.

Cultural Studies

Research cultural expressions, traditions, and practices, and how they reflect regional and historical influences, drawing comparisons to Earth's diverse cultural heritage.

Anthropology

Study human cultures and societies, examining social structures, beliefs, rituals, and everyday practices. Investigate how cultural norms develop over time and how human interactions shape communities, linking to real-world anthropological insights on tribal cultures, ancient civilizations, and modern social dynamics.

Philosophy

Examine ethical, moral, and existential questions that influence societal beliefs and practices, connecting philosophical debates to movements like existentialism or utilitarianism.

Religion and Theology

Examine the belief systems, deities, and religious practices that influence cultures. Investigate how theology shapes morality, law, and daily life. Compare religious structures to Earth-based systems like monotheism, polytheism, and animism, while exploring how divine intervention or prophecy impacts governance, justice, and ethics.

Magical Systems

Research the underlying principles of magical systems, grounded in real-world belief systems such as alchemy, witchcraft, and shamanism. Explore how these traditions can inform a consistent and structured magical framework within the world you are building. Students will propose how magic can operate with clear axiomatic principles, ensuring that it “works” within the reality of the world. This category focuses on integrating magic as a functional part of society, with its own laws and impacts, much like technology or science.

Science and Technology

This category focuses on the study of the natural world, the development of technologies, and how these influence society and human advancement.

Physics

Study the laws of the universe, focusing on mechanics, energy, and the behavior of matter. Investigate how physical forces shape both the natural world and technological development, drawing parallels to Earth's discoveries in gravity, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics.

Chemistry

Explore the properties, composition, and reactions of substances. Investigate how chemical knowledge is used to develop materials, medicines, and other technologies, linking to real-world applications in industries like agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

Biology

Study living organisms, ecosystems, and genetics. Investigate the development of biological sciences, from evolutionary theory to medical advancements, connecting it to Earth-based concepts such as biodiversity, microbiology, and environmental science.

Earth Sciences

Examine the planet's physical components, including geology, meteorology, and oceanography. Study the natural processes that shape landscapes, weather patterns, and resources, paralleling Earth's study of plate tectonics, climate systems, and natural resources.

Astronomy

Explore the study of celestial bodies, space, and the universe. Investigate how civilizations develop an understanding of their place in the cosmos, relating to Earth's advancements in astronomy and cosmology.

Engineering

Investigate the application of science to create technologies and structures. Explore advancements in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, linking them to Earth's development of infrastructure, machines, and innovations.

Medicine

Examine the development of healthcare systems, treatments, and medical technologies. Study how scientific knowledge is applied to human health and healing, connecting it to Earth's history of medical breakthroughs, from ancient practices to modern biomedicine.

Technology and Innovation

Explore the development of tools, machines, and systems that drive societal progress. Investigate how new technologies influence daily life, economics, and power structures, linking these innovations to Earth's industrial revolutions and digital age.

Environmental Science

Explore the interaction between societies and their environment, focusing on resource management, sustainability, and the impact of climate change. Analyze how environmental features like forests, oceans, and deserts shape the world's development. Relate these dynamics to real-world ecological challenges, such as deforestation in the Amazon or the effects of climate change on polar regions. 

Art and Culture

Shadow Puppetry

Develop new shadow puppetry narratives rooted in the world’s myths, using light and shadow to explore themes of power, culture, and belief systems. Research the origins of shadow puppetry to inform the creation of innovative performances that reflect societal events.

Oral Storytelling

Create traditional oral stories based on the cultural history of different regions within the world. Study existing mythological structures and folklore to design storytelling techniques that preserve cultural memory while introducing new mythic figures.

Poetry

Craft diverse poetic forms that fit various cultures, from epic poems celebrating historical events to short, philosophical verses. Analyze existing poetry traditions and synthesize new forms that resonate with the world’s socio-political developments.

Theatre

Design theatrical performances that depict key historical and mythological moments. Evaluate different traditions of live theatre and synthesize performance styles that reflect the religious or political dramas of the world’s evolving societies.

Carvings and Glyphs

Construct visual stories through carvings or glyphs that capture key historical milestones or religious events. Research existing symbolic language and develop an expanded system of glyphs that communicates complex narratives through visual art.

Textile Narratives

Design intricate textile art that weaves together mythological and historical narratives. Examine historical uses of textiles in storytelling and adapt these into the world’s rituals or ceremonies to express cultural evolution.

Fashion and Attire

Develop a cultural dress code that reflects social hierarchies, religious beliefs, or mythological traditions. Investigate how fashion historically represents identity and status, and use this to create distinct attire that conveys societal narratives.

Dance

Create ritualistic or celebratory dances that express cultural identity and mythology. Study movement-based storytelling and apply this to festivals or ceremonies within the world, ensuring that each form has cultural and regional significance.

Pantomime

Research non-verbal storytelling traditions that convey complex narratives through physicality. Research existing pantomime techniques and integrate them into the world's cultural framework to express allegories and historical events.

Music

Explore the role of music and sound in shaping cultural identity and ritual. Research traditional instruments, musical styles, and compositions that vary across regions. Relate these traditions to Earth’s musical history, from the classical symphonies of Europe to the rhythmic patterns of African drumming or the harmonic intricacies of Indonesian gamelan, providing a rich auditory backdrop for the world.

Compose music that represents different regions or cultures, drawing on both sacred and secular themes. Examine how music tells stories in real-world traditions and create new instruments and compositions that are unique to the world.

Ceremonial Performance

Develop ceremonial performances that re-enact legendary or mythic events. Investigate historical and religious rituals, and design new ceremonies that bind communities together while narrating their shared history.

Sculpture and Iconography

Design sculptures and symbols that embody cultural myths, gods, and historical figures. Analyze how societies memorialize important figures or events through art and adapt this to the world’s unique mythos.

Painted Frescoes

Create large-scale murals that depict key cultural and religious events. Research fresco techniques and develop a style that integrates the world’s history and mythology in visually compelling ways.

Heraldry

Develop heraldic symbols that represent familial or factional histories. Investigate how heraldry has been used to convey power and identity, then craft a visual language that distinguishes different groups within the world.

Cartographic Storytelling

Map the world’s evolving political and mythological landscapes. Study historical cartography and design maps that reflect not only geographic knowledge but also major migrations, conquests, or mythical journeys.

Architecture

Design buildings and urban layouts that reflect cultural identity, historical victories, or spiritual beliefs. Research architectural styles from various civilizations and adapt them to the world’s evolving history and societal needs.

Ritual Objects and Symbolic Rites

Create sacred objects and artifacts used in religious ceremonies, embedding them with cultural significance. Examine the role of ritual in various traditions and design objects that carry symbolic weight within the world’s belief systems.

Sports

Develop culturally significant sports that reflect mythological or historical themes. Study the origins of competitive games and design sports that represent both entertainment and symbolic reenactments of historical or legendary events.

Games

Investigate traditional board and strategy games that symbolize political conflicts or mythic battles. Analyze how traditional games have been used to represent larger narratives, and design new games that resonate with the world’s social structures.

Calligraphy and Manuscripts

Design calligraphic styles and manuscripts that document the world’s history, philosophy, and mythology. Analyze the role of written records in preserving cultural narratives and develop unique writing systems for the world.

Symbolic Tattoos and Body Art

Create narrative body art that reflects cultural or personal milestones. Study how tattoos and body art have been used to tell stories, and adapt this into a system where body markings symbolize rites of passage or ancestral history.

Iconography

Develop a system of symbols and emblems that convey complex political, religious, or cultural stories. Research the use of iconography in visual storytelling and integrate this into the world’s religious or social hierarchies.