You like trippy? We got your trippy right here. French animation house Passion Paris, which brings the full trippy on just about every project (check their vimeo channel), has created an abstract animated film and not-yet-released interactive experience inspired by an abandoned 19th century theatre called La Gaîté Lyrique.

The once proud Parisian venue has been sitting dormant for over a decade, with it's last attempted revamp taking the blasphemes form of a kid's amusement park. The soon-to-be renovated facility - with the facade and historical foyer completely restored, and the building re-designed by Manuelle Gautrand - will be dedicated to digital arts and contemporary music.

According to their press release, it will be "a crucible of inspiration, of intellectual and sensorial experiences ... exploring hybrid forms of visual and musical culture at the forefront of technology, both physically in the heart of Paris and virtually on the web ... it will produce, host and broadcast concerts, live shows, conferences, screenings, performances, exhibitions and even interviews and workshops."

For the first injection of the intended digital vibe, La Gaîté Lyrique artistic director Jérome Delormas approached Passion Paris director Yves Geleyn to create a film and interactive experience inspired by the museum. Something abstract. Completely out there.

The animated film exhibits a dark but sweet vision. Geleyn pulls from baroque theatre and Japanese Kabuki influences, reflecting on the venue’s previous life as a theatre, while creating the intended momentum of what will come next. It's a dreamy, non-verbal teaser, with mystical creatures entering the abandoned building and instigating a geometric transformation. Constructing. And creating.

Do I fully understand what's happening. No, sir, I do not. But it makes me want to check out this place for myself, which means the narrative is working, especially when considering the art/tech demographic at which it's aimed.

Geleyn spent over a year on the project, with the first six months dedicated to developing characters, designs and spaces, and the last six months orchestrating the 3D production with special effects house One More Production. Digital shop Studio Grouek was brought in to evolve the film into a dreamy, interactive experience, allowing online visitors to explore the mysterious spirit of the venue.

La Gaîté Lyrique will open its physical doors in December, 2010, with the website launching in September. For more information or to receive project updates visit gaite-lyrique.net.