DIMENSION OF IS: A SPECTACULAR FUTURE

CREDITS PAGE

Dimension of Is: A Spectacular Future was co-created by Heather Cox Carducci and Gigi Otalvaro-Hormillosa in collaboration with Elise Baldwin and Eliza Barrios during 2005 and 2006. The world premiere of the video / performance occurred as part of Gigi and Heather's residency at The Lab in San Francisco's Mission District (June, 2006).

Live Performers: Heather Cox Carducci, emael, Gigi Otalvaro-Hormillosa, Sister Kitty Catalyst
Makeup Consultant: Sister Kitty Catalyst (of the Catnip)
Fabric Installations: Soo-Hwa Yuan

The Past
Video assemblage/editing, and sound design/engineering by Elise Baldwin, featuring voiceover by Heather and Gigi. Additional footage of images by Eliza Barrios.

Sources:
Intro synopsis adapted from articles by Pearl Ubungen and Dan Begonia from the Makibaka! CD-ROM project. Other text adapted from The Book of the Fair: St. Louis 1904 by Marshall Everett, and “White Man’s Burden,” by Rudyard Kipling. Archival images and footage from Jim Zwick’s website www.boondocksnet.com, Vestiges of War edited by Angel Shaw, the St. Louis Public Library Archives, CA Heritage Collection (UC Berkeley), Early Motion Pictures
of World’s Fairs and Expositions compilation video (Library of Congress Paper Print Collection) and Bontoc Eulogy by Marlon Fuentes. Music from Music from the St. Louis World’s Fair (Gaslight Records, 2004) and Music of the Magindanao in the Philippines (Folkway Records, 1961).

The Present
Text adapted from Mark Twain’s “Battle Hymn of the Republic, Brought Down to Date.” Original music from Tagulaylay, with permission from the Pearl Ubungen Dancers and Musicians.
Soldier performance text and choreography by Gigi, partly inspired by Makibaka! segment on African-American (AKA Buffalo) soldiers.
Quadrennial Defense Review published by the U.S. Department of Defense (September, 2001) and delivered by Sister Kitty, performing as the Intergalactic News Broadcaster.
Moving graphics on side projections: Tony Otalvaro (Tastemedia.net)
Newsflash piece (Video text and edits): Gigi & Heather
Sally Struthers (Newscaster): Heather Carducci
Testimonial 1: Gigi
Testimonial 2: Loida Valentin & Marie Luna
Sound Effects on KROD Intro: Kendall Li
Additional images on video: Sheila Malone, Tastemedia.net

The Future
Script Writers/Editors: Valentin Aguirre, Heather and Gigi
Director of Photography/Editor: Eliza Barrios
Sound Design/Engineering: Kendall Li
Lighting Design: Alan Chun
Production Assistant: Marc Fong
Stylist (on screen characters): Skeeter Barker
Costumes (on screen characters): courtesy of Mr. S Leather
Nasa Astronaut Costume: courtesy of Mundi Morgado
Costume Designer (live performers): Marilyn Yu of Plutonium Clothing
Rolo Costume/Prop Builder: Ingrid Lagos
Makeup Consultant (Live Performers / "aliens"): Sister Kitty
Moving graphics: Tony Otalvaro (Tastemedia.net)
Archival footage and other clips from Arsenal of Hypocricy by AOH Productions (see additional notes below)
Additional artwork: Mandy Greer and Tara Tucker
Additional footage from Love Parade 2005, Folsom Street Fair 2005, Castro Street Fair 2005, and SF War Protest (September 2005)

On-screen Characters:
Legions Maximus (the Global CEO): Al Lujan
General Ana Conda (a Pentagon official): S. Trotter
Dr. Riefenstahl Von Braun (a Scientist & Nazi Descendant): Gary Gregerson
Dyke on Space Bike 1: Jenifer K. Wofford
Dyke on Space Bike 2: Eliza Barrios
NASA Astronaut: Gigi
NASA Pilot: Heather

Live Performers ("aliens"):
Robylian: Heather Carducci
Reptizoid: emael
Rolo: Gigi

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM NOTES:

Dimension of IS was partly inspired by the history of world’s fairs throughout Europe and the U.S. which countless historians and cultural theorists have interpreted as being explicitly racist and imperialist in their display of non-western people as “specimens.” The piece is also inspired by information from the documentary, Arsenal of Hypocricy which we heard about when listening to KPFA’s Morning Show about the militarization of space, and the Pentagon’s newly developed space weapons, the Rods from God (check out kpfa.org, 5/10/05 Morning Show archive). The documentary features Bruce Gagnon who eloquently discusses the origins of the U.S. Space Program as an extension of U.S. imperialism beyond earth. During World War II, slaves--Jews, homosexuals, and French resistance fighters--were brought to a concentration camp called Dora to develop rocket technology under the direction of Dr. Wernher Von Braun. The technological “genius” of the Nazis was later capitalized on by the U.S. Government. In “Operation Paper Clip,” 1500 Nazi Scientists were never tried at Nuremberg, but instead were smuggled into the U.S. to help develop NASA & the U.S. Space Program. For more information on the U.S. Space Program, check out ArsenalofHypocrisy.com or space4peace.org. For a comprehensive review of the history of world’s fairs in the U.S., check out Robert Rydell’s All the World’s a Fair (U of Chicago Press, 1984) or contact Gigi at aeromestiza@scbglobal.net for a complete bibliography.

UPDATE ON DIKES ON BIKES & THEIR PATENT:

On February 15, a letter of opposition was filed in response to the public review period for the Dykes on Bikes trademark. The letter took issue with the perceived governmental sanction of the word 'dyke' and was a vitriolic diatribe against dykes. The attorneys for the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes Women's Motorcycle Contingent (SFDOBWMC) filed a motion to dismiss. The matter is under review by the Patent and Trademark Office.

SPECIAL THANKS:

The Lab staff (Kristen, Sherry, Mark, and volunteers); the United States of Asian America (Pam and Kelley); Queer Cultural Center (Pam, Jeff and Rudy); our funders: Astraea, San Francisco Art Commission, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Horizons Foundation, Tim Johnson & Dennis Otto of Pacific Union; Patty Bori and BAYAC for the video projector; Ingrid for initial feedback on the script and for loaning us her machine with FCP; Mr. S. Leather; Boss Studios; Mundi Morgado for the NASA costume; Pacific Union for Conference Room; Otalvaro Family; Scheppler Family; Dykes on Bikes; Elisabeth Beaird

BIOS:

Heather Cox Carducci is a performer and graphic designer who is currently establishing SpaceSuperStar, a company that creates urban street wear clothing and art for individuals and their endless journeys (visit.SpaceSuperStar.com). Gigi Otalvaro-Hormillosa is a San Francisco-based interdisciplinary artist whose work has been presented around the world. Awards granted include the Potrero Nuevo Fund Prize, the Franklin Furnace Fund for Performance Art, and the SFAC Individual Artist Grant. emael, de los angeles, es reconocido por el mundo por ser carbon. Neto. Nomás sabe de cómo cantar, comer y coger. Mejor que la última vez, el amor de su vida eres tú. Elise Baldwin has been active in the Bay Area experimental music scene as a sound designer, recording engineer, and composer for theater, film, live performance, and audio installations for over ten years. Ms. Baldwin is currently an instructor at Mills College. Eliza Barrios is one of the founders of the Mail Order Brides, whose work ranges from performance to installation and video/film. Sister Kitty Catalyst of the Catnip Patch is a social activist, femme-nazi, and homo-propagandist helping to educate on the intertwined nature of class, environmental and human rights issues.