Our Webspinna conflict centered around “magic versus science.” We attempted to portray this idea through a series of sound effects, music themes, historical events, and lines from movies that we felt depicted these ideas. After generating a collage of relevant sounds, we collaborated to string them into a coherent storyline. We met on several occasions to block and rehearse our Webspinna battle. Props and costumes were acquired, including a gypsy dress, lab coat, goggles, Star Trek uniform, wand, light saber, and glitter.     

A scientist working diligently in her lab (Monster Mash) is interrupted by a wizard attempting to cast spells (“Renaissance Music”). Spiteful, the scientist mocks the wizard for being out of touch with reality (Science is Real). The wizard, not one to be trifled with, conjures up a wave which blasts the scientist with fountain of water (“Epic Wave Sound”). This means war. Dripping head-to-toe, the scientist brainstorms possibilities for how to retaliate. She begins to construct a device to bring about the demise of the wizard (Back to the Future, “1.21 Gigawatts”). The wizard is one step ahead of the game. Downing a potion, she transforms herself into a fire breathing dragon and pelts the scientist with a flaming breath (“Potion Drink”, “Fire Breathing Dragon”). The scampering scientist rushes to compensate, putting the finishing touches on her device. Turing it on, gravity is rendered inert, and the two start to float (“One Small Step for Man,” Space Oddity). The wizard glides to her wand and begins throwing the most ruthless of spells at the scientist (Harry Potter Style Wizard Fight: Little Wizards). Dodging the spells, the scientist busts out her secret weapon: a light saber. Igniting it, she makes multiple swings at the wizard (Star Wars Theme). It is time to end the battle once and for all. The wizard summons her deepest, darkest spells. She creates an explosion which knocks both opponents to the ground (“Final Ruin,” Gandalf “You Shall Not Pass”). They have met their demise. Struggling, the two slip into unconsciousness, both losing to the petty competition which they began (“Deactivation of Hal - 2001: A Space Odyssey”).  This mixture of music, sound effects, and speech made this performance a blend of literal interpretation and abstract representation of magic and science.

 

“The Ecstasy of Influence” discusses the wide variety of influences that different pieces of art can have upon each other and how this relates to plagiarism.  Our piece took material from sources such as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, all very well-known movies.  We used these, however, to tell a unique story that merged the lines and music from these clips.  In his article, Lethem emphasizes how this cut-up, mashed up collage of other work is an art in and of itself.  We agree with this idea, for as we put this webspinnabattle together, we could see how this compilation of different sources made its own story and its own very original artform.  It reminds me of internet compilations which combine different speeches or lines in movies to create their own “song.”  These videos are not plagiarism, but new creations that take inspiration from other art, using it as a tool and as a medium.  We hope to accomplish originality by taking the sound clips and influence of pop culture about science and magic in order to create this fun, epic battle between scientist and wizard.