SUPERPOWERS OF TEN

The performance »SUPERPOWERS OF TEN« is part of the exhibition »Reset Modernity!«.

In 1977, Ray and Charles Eames produced »Powers of Ten: A Film Dealing with the Relative Size of Things in the Universe and the Effects of Adding Another Zero«. An exploration of daily life at different scales – from a molecule of skin to the outer edges of the Milky Way – the Eames’ film was beautifully designed and produced, and for decades has been used as an educational tool in schools across Europe and the United States. Yet the selective framing and narrative of »Powers of Ten«, which centers on a couple having a picnic on Chicago’s lakefront, presents a linear progression of scenes and images in which abrupt jumps in scale and the interaction between genes, bodies, societies, and technologies appear frictionless and apolitical.
 
Developed by architect Andrés Jaque and the Office for Political Innovation, »SUPERPOWERS OF TEN« is an operatic, large-scale performance that offers a reinterpretation of the Eames’ »Powers of Ten«. In the performance Jaque and the Office for Political Innovation re-enact the film, revealing alternative narratives, political conflicts, and forgotten historical events. New characters such as Kodak’s »Shirley Card«, polio, and the transgender pioneer Flawless Sabrina are invited to star together with the picnickers, clusters of galaxies, and human DNA that are featured in the Eames’ original film. »SUPERPOWERS OF TEN« critically denies the possibility of framing daily life as contained by a Universe automatically accountable through science, to reclaim the beauty of multiverses constructed out of politics.

 

+++ Extras wanted +++

For the architectural performance »SUPER POWERS OF TEN« by Andrés Jaque / Office for Political innovation we are looking for 15 volunteers.

The performance reframes the shortfilm »Powers of Ten« by Charles and Ray Eames to contain a more political message, using more then 50 homemade colorful paper props the performance explores social and historical details that lay outside the film's apolitical frame. For the participation, no theater or performance experience is needed, knowledge of English and the participation in all rehearsals plus black clothing for the performance day are the only requirements! The ZKM invites the volunteers for the dinner after the opening and the performance and offers them free access to the exhibitions of the ZKM till August, 21 2016.
 
Rehearsals take place from April 11–15, 2016, 4 hours per day. The group of volunteers can discuss the timing of the rehearsals. The presentation is on April 15, 7 pm. The play lasts about 50 minutes. If interested please send an email.