What artistic and theoretical themes are explored in the
Protozoa Games?
Relationship of Humans to Other Species: Critical
theorists
note that conventional paradigms of science seek to place a profound
boundary
between humans and other species. Humans are seen as superior and
qualitatively different. Conveniently this position allows
exploitation,
domination, and disregard. It justifies experimentation and infliction
of pain if some possible benefit to the "higher' species (humans) can
be
presumed.Even animal protection laws and procedures draw the line at
vertebrates
- experimentation on forms that seem distant from humans and without
much
presumed consciousness (such as insects and protozoa) are not
protected.
Other traditions (for example, the Buddhist and Hindu) note
much more
continuity. Humans and other life forms are bound tightly to the
same chain of life. Even contemporary science is constantly
surprized by the complexity and sophistication of 'lower' life forms
such
as the protozoa. Human life depends on symbiosis with sophisticated
celluar
creatures that make up the body Some analysts of science such as Bruno
Latour and Donna Harraway suggest a different model in which humans and
other life forms are seen as collaboraors in experiments. Others
believe that humanity could spiritually benefit from more humility and
connection with other species.
Protozoa Complexity: The Protozoa Games present
an unorthodox
setting for thinking about relationship of species and paradigms of
science.
Using contemporary digital microscope technology, they offer visual
access
to the world of another species, the Protozoa. The protozoa are
chosen
because science presents them as one of the simplist animal lifeforms,
possibly the evolutionary origin of humanity. Yet watch them!
They
show individual differences - some seem frentic, others seem
contemplative.
They explore their world in a great variety of ways and enact dramas of
survival, affiliation, and exploration not very different from
humanity.
Microscopes and Motion Detection/SurveillanceVideo:
Typically
humans observe the activities of lower life forms via the instruments
of
science such as microscopes. In the Protozoa Games, humans are
subjected
to similar observational protocols. Participants have their
movements monitored via motion detection in the same way that the
protozoa
are being monitored. Structurally the humans and the protozoa are
put on a similar footing.
Follow-Me: This event turns the tables on the
usual scientific
protocols. Typically scientists devise settings to get lower
forms
to follow their bidding - for example, rats running a maze. In
Follow-me,
the protozoa are in charge. The humans win points by mimicing the
movements of the protozoa. They have to scamper around the
installation
space in the same pattern of movement that the protozoa use. The fate
of
the protozoa and the humans (points won) are linked. It is
hoped that this topsy-turvy experiment leads human participanats
to more apprpeciation of protozoa life.
Control-Me: This event structurally replicates
conventional
scientific experimentation. A culture of protozoa are put under
the
microscope and subjected to a variety of instrumentation in order to
influence
behavior. But this experiment is somewhat wacky. Humans win
points by trying to influence the protozoa to move toward a target area
in their environment. What can influence the protozoa?
Various
species of protozoa are known to be phototropic (attaction) or
photophobic
(repeled) by light and/or sound. In this absurd parody on
experiments
human participants can vary their strategy - by turning on red and
green
lights on either side of the protozoa culture and by
yelling/singing/talking
into sound tubes on either side. The scientific literature are
mum
on the influence of light color and different varieties of sound.
In someways this environment fufills some of the requirements of a
genuine
experiment. What strategies will the humans use -
domination,
friendly appeal? Will they beg, sing, demand, frighten,
plead....?
The humans are part of this experiment also.
Pinball: The visual/aural environment suggests
pinball.
Lights flash; the projection screen looks like a pinball machine, score
points accumulate; bells, bouncers, and boingers sound, previous hi
scores
challenge, and clocks indicate time running down. Pinball
machines
suggest a time of innocence at the dawn of the electronic age.
They
offer a environment of benign challenge in which physical and
perceptual
skill lead to victory. They are social situations in which
friends
and strangers compete and cooperate on a mediated task. Can
protozoa
become part of the fun? Pinball offers an intriguing arena to
explore
possible ways that different species can interact.
Art & Biology: The electronic revolution of
the last
decades have had a major impact on the culture. The arts are
beginning
to explore the implications. Some analysts believe the research
in
biology may result in even more revolutionary change in the next
decades.
It is important at this early stage of the revolution that artists
learn
about these developments at a deep level and develop art works that
probe
their implications. Protozoa seemed like a good place to begin.
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