In the Footsteps of Earthly Spirits

Art, Science, and the Spiritual Quest for Meaning

‘In ancient whispers and future echoes, we stand. Nature's memory, humanity's dream.’ - a Little Martian song. Kodamas to Little Martians

While Studio Ghibli's renowned "Princess Mononoke" has introduced many to the hauntingly elegant forest spirits called Kodamas, their legacy in Japanese lore predates the film by centuries. Rooted in the ancient Shinto tradition of Japan, Kodamas are considered a distinctive form of kami — divine spirits or deities. In Shinto beliefs, everything in nature, from trees and rocks to waterfalls, possesses a spirit. Kodamas are closely associated with trees, particularly ancient ones, and it's said that a forest rich with these spirits has health and vitality. I've aspired to bring to life characters as enchanting as the Kodamas.

Across the world, many cultures harbor their own legends of earthly spirits. The Maize Gods of Mesoamerica embody the essence of corn. The Xapiri of the Yanomami are ethereal beings invoked in shamanistic rituals. In countless mythologies, nature's wonders — from grand trees to humble shrubs — are often given human-like attributes. This anthropomorphism provides not only a bridge for humans to connect with the environment but also ascribes an elevated importance to these beings, putting them on par with human significance.

Maize Gods to Little Martians

Interestingly, with contemporary science, we are discovering more paths to communicate with nature, beyond anthropomorphism. Cutting-edge AI research now delves into deciphering communication among plants and animals. Soon we’ll be able to not only understand nature better, but also talk back. How will our worldview change once we understand what animals and plants say to each other and to us?

Computational biology is fertile ground for sci-fi storytelling around designing new technologies with nature. It would be amazing if our far future descendants were so advanced that they could produce their own energy as plants do. Or if these species could thrive on other planets, if life could just keep expanding, transforming matter into consciousness.

When I started to make humanoid ceramic heads I didn’t have a story for them. They looked ancient and futuristic. I was just beginning to live in Mars College, where people talk about AI very often, so I thought the heads should represent Martians. I named them Little Martians because it’s an affectionate name, the sculptures are tiny and delicate, I feel love for them. But at first I wasn’t too excited with the idea of humanity actually going to planet Mars. Like many others today, I had the impression that putting energy into going to Mars meant overlooking, or escaping, Earth’s challenges. 

Yet, even in the worst possible outcomes of climate change, social unrest and who knows what other disasters await us, living on Mars would still be far more difficult than Earth. Radiation, lack of suitable atmosphere, extreme weather, no water sources… Finding the simplest life form that has endured such conditions would be a massive scientific discovery. If humanity could ever contribute for life to thrive on a place like Mars, if we had knowledge to do so, it would mean we could nurture life on Earth much better as well. 

What if we could turn into plant based beings?

While crafting the small ceramic heads, I continually envision what life in the future might resemble. Given the harsh environment of the red planet, I find it difficult to believe that the sci-fi archetype of dome colonies housing hundreds of people would provide a suitable environment for life to flourish on such an alien terrain. This led me to speculate on the adaptive strategies life might employ. My musings often revolved around tales of AI-driven human genetic modifications of terrestrial species, engineered to endure extreme conditions. Engaging with GPTs, I've entertained a variety of disparate theories about the transformation of humans into Martians.

Little Martians storytelling experiments from 2022 - 3 theories

The idea that excites me the most now revolves around Little Martians as pioneers paving the way for life on Mars and beyond, while also safeguarding Earth’s memories and imagination - they would be custodians of the ‘Human Imaginarium’ as discussed on previous posts. So I thought Little Martians should represent an idea of a future in which human consciousness is mixed with the knowledge systems of other life forms, inspired by ancient earthly spirits, like the Kodamas. They would be stewards of all the biological processes needed to sustain a healthy ecosystem.

To translate this concept into something tangible, I’m developing the Little Martians as narrators of an animated series, weaving tales across human history and speculative futures. Gene Kogan and I are working to turn each one of the sculptures into interactive AI companions, physical pieces with a digital avatar. They should guide humans in the process of digitizing their consciousness, which in this context means to learn to tell their own life story. They should also provoke humans to imagine worlds they would like to live in.

We should view our aspirations for Mars not as an act of colonization but as a long term blossoming — an extension of Earth's vibrant life. Just as Kodamas safeguard their forests, the Little Martians - inspired by our planet’s ancient wisdom and propelled by AI - beckon us to nurture simulated worlds. Their mission? To chronicle every interaction with humanity, evolving alongside us, with the ultimate ambition of crafting a collective repository — a timeless archive that is both a reflection of our past and a beacon for our future.

As we stride forward, are we forging a new narrative or retracing timeless steps?

Ouroboros, the snake that bites its own tail