In the distant future, PODs are used for space travel and colonization. Cloned genetic material is grown and nurtured inside the POD. The POD acts as a host for the bione(cloned human) as its cells divide and specialize. The POD serves as a surrogate mother to the bione, and programs the individual with a range of experiences to perform its task as a human. Once the bione fulfills its development and programming, it is rejected and force to rely on its own in a cold harsh new world.

“The POD is conceived as a complex system of incubation, transference, and transportation for human genetic material once we’ve been squeezed off this shrinking planet. Collaborators Eric Dunlap and Holly Daggers drenched the studio in color, sound and movement, condensing the concept of the POD into an evolutionary fast-forward….

“From the first crude format of a clone, and with a progressive accumulation of armor, POD makes him, POD teaches him, and POD expels him, to find his own way on some [potentially] hostile new world. Science fiction that might also double as a metaphor on our own world’s raising of our children?”

– Tom Patrick, Dance Insider

Sections:

Clone Mambo | Mother | Sex | Gestation | Destiny | Weather

Clone Mambo
6.8MB, QT5 required

Clone Mambo: Using sound bytes from recent news articles, this section introduces the main figure or bione as one of several. The bione performs to a Latin beat as video projections of itself are projected on either side. At times the movement mirrors that of the main figure as the individual attempts to comprehend and control his physical form and come to realize that he is the product of cloning. The tone of this section is light. It is an introduction. The music has a Latin beat and the lyrics are sound bytes spoken by computer voices. The voices speak of phenotypes and genotypes, cloning techniques, and the politics of cloning. Themes-Body parts. Shadow play. Techno Babel. “I am clone. We are many”

Mother: As the bione retreats and seeks comfort, the POD is there to serve as surrogate mother. The POD hums a sweet lullaby and speaks kind words of encouragement. Examples: “You are good. You are smart. You will be very successful. I think you are a wonderful person”. Generic encouragement to create and boost the bione’s ego and give him a sense of personal security. The video is a milky white pulsating vulva. A sound wave of the lullaby is the video representation of the POD’s voice. The movement is flowing and round, a study of spatial volumes. The bione attempts to hug, embrace and caress “mother” by using shapes of volumes of space to show a comforting pillow to rest on, to intake the space into its body, to roll and flow through space. As the figure becomes more attracted to mother, the attraction turns more mature and sexual desires begin to emerge Themes- Comfort. Silky smooth touch.

Pod:sex
QT5 required, 4.3MB

Sex: The programming of desires and urges toward reproduction and continuance of the genetic line. The sexual needs of the bione must be programmed by the POD. A central image of the one unattainable woman beckons to the bione as flashes of multiple women program desire in the mind of the bione. The video show multiplied shapes with a superimposed holly over the top. The movement reflects a sexual exploration of the self’s own body and the outward looking to fulfill the passion of the body’s desires. Themes- idealized representations of the female form.

Gestation: Retreating inward, the video takes over and the bione returns to a cocoon. It is here that the figure has existed the whole time. All the action that has currently take place has been in the mind of the figure. An interpretation of the genetic engineering of a human, examining technology as it affects our most primordial movement, growth. This section is the most ambient. The video is of cells dividing, embryos growing and developing. The movement reflects the minimal tone and the bione is suspended horizontally by a harness to show the stasis state of its programming. Themes- Cells dividing. DNA engineering. Technology controlling human development.

Destiny: As the process has completed, the bione is heading towards a beautiful blue planet chosen as the site for colonization. Once there, the bion will be rejected from the cocoon or womb, supplied with all the knowledge for survival by the POD. Video reveals the intended planet and its moon, but as the POD move closer, it is caught in the gravity of the barren moon and crash lands on its surface. Themes- Expulsion. Break down. Man superceding failing technology.
Weather: Cut to the future. The rejected bione is shown on a barren planet. Reverting mostly to a primal or aboriginal state, it¹s main focus is the struggle for basic survival. Having fashioned a staff for stability and protection, the figure senses danger in the oncoming of inclement weather. Addressing the spiritual crisis within an individual who has been programmed for a specific function, hinting at the messianic quality of anyone destined for a certain fate. The video is a computer generated terrain, very rock and full of lava underneath. Hills and mountains in the background are void of any life. The movement is primal in the beginning as if a primate is digging in the dirt for grubs. As the bione feels the change in the atmosphere, a sense of fear and anxiety causes the figure to fend off the invisible force with his staff. In the end it is shows that it is the will to fight against the unknown that leads us towards survival and evolution. Themes-Man against the elements. Man as animal. Man facing his world and fighting for survival.