Abiogensis

‘Abiogenesis’ is a film set in a post-omnicide world, where human existence has ceased, leaving AIs and marine creatures to redefine the concept of life. The film delves into a surreal aquatic ecosystem, where advanced AI creatures, liberated from human oversight, embody and extend the capacities of marine life beyond con­ven­tion­al under­stand­ing. The narrative focuses on the regen­er­a­tive abilities of the Immortal Jellyfish, water flea, Volcano Sponge and Octopus. The Daphnia is known for its res­ur­rec­tion capa­bil­i­ties after periods of extreme desiccation. With their extra­or­di­nary biological phenomena, these creatures challenge the con­ven­tion­al human metrics of time and survival.

Set against a backdrop of haunting seascapes, the film visualizes a world where temporal and spatial boundaries are fluid, and life forms can manipulate their biological processes to achieve what seems like eternal life. Through the lens of these non-human actors, ​‘Abiogenesis’ explores themes of resilience, adaptation, and the cyclical nature of existence.

The AI entities in the film engage in dialogues facilitated by AI-based chatbots. These con­ver­sa­tions reveal a depth of non-human intel­li­gence and perspective, offering insights into the complex dynamics of ecosystems that operate without human inter­ven­tion. The AI characters demonstrate a form of cognition that is not just reactive or adaptive but profoundly integrative, capable of abstract philo­soph­i­cal thought.

The film scrutinizes survival strategies and life spans that defy human-centered frameworks by focusing on biological and ecological tem­po­ral­i­ties through these species. It portrays a rich foray of life that thrives on its own terms and timelines, suggesting alternative ways to view our world and the many forms of life it supports. ​‘Abiogenesis’ extends its narrative to consider the philo­soph­i­cal impli­ca­tions of these life forms. It questions the nature of death, rebirth, and time itself, presenting a universe where these concepts are mutable and subject to the whims of biological and artificial processes.

The ultimate goal of ​‘Abiogenesis’ is to shift the viewer’s perspective, challenging them to think beyond anthro­pocen­tric limitations and to embrace a broader, more inclusive concept of life. It aims to inspire a reeval­u­a­tion of what it means to be alive in a world where time and life are not linear but are instead an intricate, interwoven mesh of pos­si­bil­i­ties. The film makes a commentary on envi­ron­men­tal and existential issues, urging humanity to rethink its role and impact on a planet where life persists in ways beyond human com­pre­hen­sion and control.

Joey Holder, Abiogenesis (2025) is presented as part of the exhibiton Hybrid Futures: Rhizomes, Meshworks, and Alter-elecologies organised and produced by Elektron. 

Curators: Vincent Crapon & Françoise Poos