Spooklings

Artwork

Spooklings are small creatures that live wherever you find stones, trees, waterfalls, or even the spaces between leaves. We name them after the places they inhabit. They often resemble their surroundings, and if you’re lucky, you might spot Shroomlinks, Treelinks, or Rooklings right here in Trenčín. They are so shy that they will run away whenever you shout near them! Yet despite their shyness, they are also very playful. They don’t mind running off and often amuse themselves with every jump or escape.

Author Matej Matje Mazák invites you to an interactive experience with animated characters – the Spooklings. Step closer and try to scare them away with your voice.

The project was created at the Department of Visual Communication at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design (VŠVU), in the Studio of Multimedia, where the author is currently pursuing a Master’s degree.

Author

Matej Mazák is a Slovak visual artist, animator, and illustrator with a strong passion for storytelling. After years of professional experience as a character animator on Slovak TV series and films, he now focuses primarily on his own work for young audiences. He is the author and illustrator of the children’s comic Malá Hviezda (Little Star).

During his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design (VŠVU) in Bratislava, he combines animation with emerging technologies, pushing the boundaries of traditional media. His current project Oživlá integrates 3D animation, augmented reality (AR), and photogrammetry to bring mythological creatures to life within urban environments. In his work, he combines technical skill with love of character, creating figures that are engaging, playful, and visually stimulating for children.