ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Animated Short '3:45 PM' Explores Overthinking

digital · 2026-04-27

A new animated short film titled '3:45 PM' examines the phenomenon of overthinking, a mental state characterized by obsessive rumination that can lead to depression and anxiety. Created by Alisha Liu during her second year at the California Institute of the Arts, the video depicts two girls sitting on the grass in New York's Central Park. One girl launches into an existential monologue about the meaning of life and where humanity is heading, while the other encourages her to appreciate the beauty of the present moment. The animation uses zoom effects to visualize the protagonist's spiraling thoughts, ultimately inviting viewers to embrace simplicity and let go of unanswerable questions.

Key facts

  • The short film is titled '3:45 PM'.
  • It was created by Alisha Liu.
  • Liu made the film during her second year at the California Institute of the Arts.
  • The video is an animated short.
  • It features two girls sitting on the grass in Central Park, New York.
  • One girl delivers an existential monologue about life's meaning.
  • The animation uses zoom in and zoom out effects to represent thought complexity.
  • The film encourages living simply and focusing on the present.

Entities

Artists

  • Alisha Liu

Institutions

  • California Institute of the Arts

Locations

  • Central Park
  • New York
  • United States

Sources