Scientists and Shamans explore the mysterious processes of the brain during consciousness, altered states and dream states in a poetic dance of ideas.
Dr. John C. Lilly (inventor of the isolation tank and pioneer in Human-Dolphin communication), Prof. Marvin Minsky (cofounder of MIT's Artificial Intelligence Lab), Prof. Richard Bolt of MIT's Human Interface Lab, Native American Sam Sapiel, and computer poet Michael Newman collide with computer animation and physical metaphors.
"Metaphoria" examines the frontiers of communication and the role metaphors play in the cognitive process, and shows how metaphors pervade thought in science, poetry, religion and culture.
NOTES ON COLLABORATION:
As co-producers & co-directors, Joe Tripician and I spurred each other throughout the making of this film. From the start, the idea I had was to investigate and create metaphorical bridges. To do this, we would study the process of thought itself. Questions about the nature of thought abound.... "What is imaginary thought ?", "Are dreams real ? ", "What is real ? "
Poetic visuel bridges were built with help from choreographer Dina Emerson and the voice of Edgar Oliver. Another important collaborator was Fred Reed, who not only composed, performed, and recorded all the music, but also gave us crucial insights into how to interview one of our guests, Sam Sapiel.
- Merrill Aldighieri
