BLACK MATTER Christian Colon
PROPOSAL Since the beginning of time societies have always had to fight the elements of nature. Building structures to keep from the cold, the wild and the natural disasters.IIn modern times our battle with balancing nature and our own survival has been compromised due of the effects of capitalism. Our governments and society have put the economic advancements of our countries before the safety and survival of our planet. The tipping point of this shift happened in 2016 when a reality star became the president and the leader of the free world. This lead to a series of ill advised decisions, legislation and policies that created a perfect storm for the disasters we are facing today. Corporations were allowed to exploit our land, poison our oceans and further expand the ever growing pay gaps.This has led to a destruction of not only our ecosystem but our way of life. As the rich got richer the technological solutions were only within their grasp, we created a world where wealth assured you safety at the expense of the lower class. This imbalance led to the Collapse of our society, dangerous living conditions and a discord between communities that once coexisted in a less destructive way. A Government commission for engineers and architects was made to design and build structures that could house and protect cities. This was presented in the form of megadome and super structures. These are enclosed cities that provide their own sunlight, urban farming, retail stores, living quarters and even work spaces. They were designed so that the general population would not have to ever leave or be exposed to the natural elements. Though this is not all inclusive, we have a sub cultures that were commissioned to build these structures and all work to maintain them but are not allowed inside. Those who had committed crimes of anysort were thrown out in conjunction with people who were not able to keep a steady income to live inside of this dome. I intend on visiting and observing this population.
Documenting their daily struggles as they battle exposure to smog, dust, storms and natural disasters that have taken the lives of many here. In this journey I want to explore the lives of these subcultures and how they’ve been affected by years of marginalization, exploitation and powerlessness as well as how they navigate under these conditions.
MOOD BOARD
TECHNOLOGY
The human brain is very complex. Many of the computers were actually constructed in replica of the human brain. It has been fascinating to witness how technology has advanced over the years and how it has affected society and humanity today. One of the most prevalent technological advancements of our age is the invention of the megadome. It is comprised of energy that carries itself three times the height of the empire state building. Inside of the dome temperature is regulated and so is the amount of time that the sun and the moon is out. With the complete collapse of our world's ecosystem, and the damaging effects that climate change has had on our natural resources, manmade options have been our only means of survival. The sun in its current state is blackened by the smog and polluted air. Enclosed in these superdome structures are artificial light that not only provides the necessary vitamin D for its citizens but also a main source of energy and what fuels our urban farms.
ECOLOGY As a result of global warming, temperatures and UV levels have risen globally to the point of comparison between that of heat at the equator. For the amount of time that people were living without these mega domes and super structures, the shade of the overall populace on earth has gotten slightly darker. This global rise in heat has caused dramatic increases in water levels, leaving many cities uninhabitable. Animals have become more violent and protective over each other along with their territory. The overwhelming increase of dark matter generated a force that was able to rip apart dimensions in our universe, causing a dimensional and universal collapse. Dark matter is a speculative form of matter which makes up more than 80% of our universe and a fourth of its total energy density. Though people who were inside of the dome were not affected, those who remained outside received the full force of the affects. The breakage of the dimensional barriers more so created an overlapping of the beings present in these parallel universes. It was like an overlapping of consciousness. One person had an exponential amount of other beings within their conscious. It seemed their body also began to change. It was like an everlasting morphing of their parallel selves, meaning they could be considered shape shifters. Though this initially was perceived to be a mutation that caused a mental break in those affected it has also presented some unexpected benefits. The immune system of the subjects affected seems to have evolved to to shape shift in a way to adjust to the ever changing environment. The most fascinating aspect of this mutation is when a subject entered the superdome structure that was seemingly unaffected by any of the
outside dangers, the rate of there “shifting” seemed to balance and settle on one mutation. The question here is what is the danger they could possibly face within this isolated and protected space.
SPIRITUALITY Society is very separative and there is a strong sense of duality between these contrasting worlds inside and outside of the megadome. In the megadome they anti aging are sold and treatments that reverse aging are a standard inside as they are obsessed with youthfulness and beauty and disregard those that represent death and sickness in their eyes. As oppose to the “others” that work their lives to emulate the wisdom of their elders they revere them they are considered beautiful and the cornerstone of their communities. Inside of the superstructure the masses have more of a belief that is science based. This is a result of the advancements in technology. People have begun to find more stability in science because it is the basis of why they are living comfortably where they are. As for the people who were left to the elements by no choice of their own, they had relied on faith to sustain their suffering. An idea that there was something more, something larger than them awaiting to relieve them of their pain and struggle. The idea that spirituality and science do not reflect one another in some ways is quite closed minded. The survival of both communities thrive on the believe that discovery of the unknown is the very thing that they both need to survive. After the exposure to dark matter science and faith seemed to have presented themselves to those living in the slums. The very rituals and beliefs that were practiced offered them a strength that made their suffering worthwhile. Every morning and night these people ground themselves close their eyes and sit, taking deep breaths inhaling the air filled with life, granting them mental stability and awareness. There are also ceremonies held for when people connect to or some may say unlock another part of
themselves. They gather as community and the person bears carefully carved cuts along their body that look like slashes on a keyboard. The more marks you have symbolize the more connected to yourself you are. The mutations though dangerous gave them the ability to survive under unbearable conditions. A advancement that was not alloted to those using their wealth and privilege to sit inside protected and unconcerned with the lives of those living below. The outside elements are only getting worse and if the very people that they are shunning decide to no longer participate as forced laborers the enclosed city will face the same dangers.
Interview Do you feel as though the mutation you have gone through is a gift or more of a nuisance? I feel as though this was a blessing. There was a connection that happened between the communities outside of the dome. We’ve become more grounded to the earth, the universe as well as more connected to ourselves. If you were offered a chance to live in the megadome again would you? I would rather not. Inside of the megadome, a lot of people judgements are fed by societal standards that don't exactly foster the exception of blacks, while living out here is very free minded and spirited. There is just certain level of understanding that we have amongst each other that was never present in the megadome. Outside the communities closest to you how do you differ from others outside of the megadome? There are other communities that are a lot more closed off than our own . Though this is not a common occurrence people who reside inside the dome tend to wander outside. Often times you will find communities that are outside to be very protective of their culture and traditions. For that reason they move themselves to land that gives natural protection. Some feel it can be dangerous to come in contact with
those inside of the dome because of modern medicine and the disconnection it provides with the body especially since we rely heavily on that connection. What are some of the conflicts you've faced under these living conditions? Surprisingly most of the problems I’ve had was with myself or “myselves”. To uphold these mutations require a lot of mental stability and for that reason we do what people inside the dome may call meditations though not exactly the same. My past experiences have granted me the strength to continue on. I always think about this quote from DuBois from Souls, “O ne ever feels his two-ness,—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.” What are some activities or traditions that are held close to you ? I’ve always loved going with my family to pick apples to make apple cider vinegar. We frequently use this to help maintain our hair. We commonly put our hair in protective styles such as braids or bantu knots. These were styles of hair I grew up using so they hold some kind of importance to me.
Bibliography Pittman, John P. “Double Consciousness.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 21 Mar. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/double-consciousness/#DoubConsSoulBlacFolk. BerardelliApr, Phil, et al. “Does Our Universe Live Inside a Wormhole?” Science | AAAS, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 10 Dec. 2017, www.sciencemag.org/news/2010/04/does-our-universe-live-inside-wormhole. NASA, NASA, science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/what-is-dark-energy.
A Short nterview
What are some activities or traditions that are held close to you ?
I’ve always loved going with my family to pick apples to make apple cider vinegar.
We f requ this to h ently us e e our lp maint a h in a com mon ir. We ly pu hair t ou in p styl r es s rotecti ve uch or b as an were tu knot braids s. Th grew styles of h ese up u air I sing hold so t som hey e impo rtan kind of ce to me.
Outside the communities closest to you how do you differ from others outside of the megadome?
Often times you will find communities that are outside to be very protective of their culture and traditions. For that reason they move themselves to land that gives natural protection. Some feel it can be dangerous to come in contact with those inside of the dome because of modern medicine and the disconnection it provides with the body especially since we rely heavily on that connection.
Wha co t are nfl so und icts y me o ou f t er 'v h co these e fac e ndi e tio living d ns? Sur p the rising l pro ble y mos was m to s I’ wit f my v h the selve myse e had s s l a lo e muta . To u f or p t t ty a of m ions hold re e n we d for ntal s quire do tab t hat sid rea ilie th what pe s med e itat dome ople on ini o m n a exa ctl s thou y call y th gh es n ame ot .
My past experiences have granted me the strength to continue on. I always think about this quote from DuBois from Souls, “One ever feels his two-ness, an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.”