{"id":432,"date":"2008-06-28T15:50:05","date_gmt":"2008-06-28T15:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/wp\/?p=432"},"modified":"2023-07-18T22:03:49","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T06:03:49","slug":"the_fit_of_existenz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/the_fit_of_existenz\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fit of Existenz"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>David Cronenberg&#8217;s eXistenZ (1999) is a near-future noir of virtual reality gaming, genetic mutations and&#8211;like all Cronenberg films&#8211;a graphic discussion of the nature of the body and its relation to invasion and manipulation. Specifically, I&#8217;m interested in the designs of the organic game pods: mutated amphibian semi-creatures with synthetic DNA that port into the gamer&#8217;s spine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bioports are installed in the spine and must be lubricated with spit or a variation of chapstick before inserting the umbilical-like game pod cord. In one variation a minipod is inserted (actually, squeezes itself) directly into the bioport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-001.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-002.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-003.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-004.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-005.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-006.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-007.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-008.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-bio-port-009.jpg\" alt=\"bio-port\"\/><br \/>A chair used for black market bioport installations.<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-chair-surgery.jpg\" alt=\"chair with missing back portion\"\/><br \/>The organic gun assembly sequence from the mutant amphibian &#8216;special&#8217; dish ordered for lunch at a Chinese restaurant. Also shows how the gun bleeds when damaged. See a video excerpt from the sequence to fully appreciate how they fit.<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-001.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-002.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-003.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-004.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-005.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-006.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-007.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-008.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-009.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-010.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-011.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-012.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-013.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-014.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-015.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-016.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-017.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-018.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-019.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-020.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-gun-021.jpg\" alt=\"organic gun\"\/><br \/>The organic game pods.<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-mini-pod.jpg\" alt=\"mini-pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-002.jpg\" alt=\"organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-003.jpg\" alt=\"organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-004.jpg\" alt=\"organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-005.jpg\" alt=\"organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-006.jpg\" alt=\"organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-007.jpg\" alt=\"organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-hands.jpg\" alt=\"organic game pod\"\/><br \/>There is a non-organic variant of game pods in the film that attach to the wrists and head.<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-a-002.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-a-003.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-a-004.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/><br \/>The former trout hatchery turned game-pod factory.<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-001.jpg\" alt=\"game pod factory\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-002.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-003.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-004.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-005.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-006.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-007.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-009.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-010.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-011.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"265\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/images\/journal\/existenz-pod-factory-012.jpg\" alt=\"non-organic game pod\"\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>David Cronenberg&#8217;s eXistenZ (1999) is a near-future noir of virtual reality gaming, genetic mutations and&#8211;like all Cronenberg films&#8211;a graphic discussion of the nature of the body and its relation to invasion and manipulation. Specifically, I&#8217;m interested in the designs of the organic game pods: mutated amphibian semi-creatures with synthetic DNA that port into the gamer&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[9,3,74],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=432"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3774,"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432\/revisions\/3774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffwerner.ca\/testa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}