soma/somo

2000

soma/somo, is a self powered network of decaying grapefruits, emitting various texts depending on their state of decay, until their demise of total lack of being able to hold a charge, the circuit is broken, and present is their veritable death.

The soma/somo network allows the viewer/participant to communicate with and impact upon a series of interconnected grapefruits. The grapefruits collective voltage is being measured and interpreted for communication. The communication takes place via telephones, computers, speakers and other electronic devices.

As the grapefruits eventually decay, they no longer can produce a charge. The communication relates to that decaying process and voltage loss and you, the participant. Eventually, the grapefruits can no longer hold any charge and the communication ceases to exist.

The soma/somo network's function is to find a way to negotiate an intimacy and possible compassion with something viewed as disappearing or a loss in progress, perhaps dying. There is also loss while still salvaging from the remains of the 'end of the world', rebuilding of relationships lost-(or searching for what never existed) during the television babysitter, zoodles, jello, bionic man and bionic woman, hardwired pacman, Print 10 AM I ALIVE? Go To 10, bob barker, the price is so not right, era.

This project was funded by the Canada Council for the Arts. As well the funding was then debated in Canadian Parliament. (fun!)

Soma Somo from Myfanwy Ashmore on Vimeo.