Bio Scenic Travel Machine: Scopia Ploidy

Specifications:

Travel Capsule: Scopia Ploidy
Target Name: Earth
Mission: Transmit Message-Portraits
Instrument: Camera, Satellite Message Dish, Monitor, Projector
Launch Date: 2014.06.06
Produced By: Bio Scenic Earth Laboratory, Inc.

Scopia Ploidy:

Scopia Ploidy has landed here to fulfill its mission of transmitting message-portraits – portraits of individuals and groups with their written words or imagery in a landscape that reflects identity, time and place – to unspecified recipients.

The Travel Machine’s message satellite dish prompts individuals to write/draw their personal message and turn it toward the mirror on the Machine. The Machine’s camera takes a photo that captures them, their message, the landscape and the Travel Machine. The message-portraits are displayed through a portal and projected out from the Machine. The message-portraits are instantly uploaded to messageportrait.com.

Landing Sites:

+ TEDxMinneapolis, The Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN July 31, 2015
On the Brink – Collectively we ask, “What Must We Do?”
+ The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St, Hudson, WI February 27 – April 4, 2015
From Place to Space – Transmit Your Message-Portrait Here…..
+ Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN July 19, 2014
Live From Minneapolis………
+ Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden, 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN June 26, 2014
I Am Here…….
+ 636 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis, MN June 21, 2014
Neighborhood Stories

Status:

Date TBD
From Place to Space: BioScenic Message-Portraits from Central Avenue, Minneapolis

The mission of this project is to strengthen identity, place and community on Central Avenue by sharing individual stories, personal expression and collective vision from the business owners/employees, organization members, friends/families and people on the sidewalk. The project offers an opportunity to share about oneself and learn about neighbors, community members and the people that live near, work on, or visit Central Avenue. The Northeast Library will host a monitor installation that will display the slideshow of message-portraits.

Central Avenue, Minneapolis
Over the years Central Avenue has experienced mixed economic development and is currently experiencing rapid change. New businesses, redeveloped industrial use buildings into commercial properties, and a large redevelopment plan that involves more housing and retail outlets are underway. Central Avenue is undergoing a new phase and is in a state of change. How do we build cohesiveness during a rapidly changing time?

Effort and progress are being made to preserve the community driven economy, strong immigrant entrepreneurships, and the presence of a cohesive community. This project will build new partnerships, establish networks, and connect community groups in the effort to preserve the vision of Central Avenue.

Acknowledgement:

Atomic Props and Effects, Oakdale, Minnesota – Research and Development.
Kevin Mlynarczyk, St. Paul, Minnesota – Technology.
All participating communities and individuals.

Sara Hanson is a fiscal year 2013 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.