designblok 15: jiří příhoda installs mPod within prague theater

jiří příhoda installs spiraling mPod within historic prague theater
all images by martin hurych

on the occasion of designblok 15, jiří příhoda introduces a prototypical version of the ‘mPod’ — a full scale martian dwelling constructed inside prague’s spirála theater. rather than satisfying the technical requirements for life on mars, the artist wanted to evoke the feeling of living in a parched and barren land, with no possible return to earth.

‘mars one foundation announced a poll a few years ago for volunteers who would be willing to fly to mars and begin to colonize this planet without a return flight to earth,’ explains příhoda. ‘hundreds of thousands of volunteers have signed up. on one of dozens of local television channels in texas, I heard an interview with a woman about 35 years of age, a happily married mother of three children, who was shortlisted for the mission. asked whether she is aware that she will never again be with her family, she said something to the effect that she is fully aware of the fact, but that her mission is more important than her family.’

the prototypical ‘mPod’ is a full scale martian dwelling

příhoda was particularly shocked by this revelation, and believed it was a sign of how readily prepared we are to leave our current planet. ‘it indicates how much we desire grand ideas and deeds, and how much the developed world grows tired of the seeming abundance, and its willingness to throw it all away at the expense of something grander,’ continues příhoda. ‘it will be almost 50 years since we landed on the moon. from that moment, however, we have turned ourselves into a micro world and the macro has no funds left.’

the artist wanted to evoke the feeling of living in a parched and barren land

the spiraling pavilion serves as an abode for one inhabitant, who will be consistently exposed to a sparse martian landscape, projected onto a large screen at the top of a winding internal stairway. this constant view serves to reinforce the idea that the occupant has no prospect of returning home — a warning to remind earth’s citizens to urgently reassess their space colonizing priorities.

an aerial view of the pavilion