FringeWare Review (20)12

Come Hither (Honoria in Ciberspazio)

by Kate Pierro
The scene is a fleshmeet on a quiet riverbank. A crowd of human Internet acquaintances meet for the first time. The HUMANS sing to .REZ who is on a precipice overlooking a burning fire pit.


ALL HUMANS


Come hither, come hither, we know you desire

to dance with us wildly by this fire.

We know you, we know you, each line we have traced

of the memetic mask of your virtual face.

Now cast off that mask so that we may see

the form that lies hidden shown nakedly.


See below where the flames twist hotly

each little attractor arrayed in its motley,

leaping and turning in frenzied delight

as rains of bright embers shower the night.

They call you to gambol and frolic and play

until time spreads wide the cloak of the day.


Come hither, come hither, we know you desire

to dance with us wildly by this fire.

We know you, we know you, each line we have traced

of the memetic mask of your virtual face.

Now cast off that mask so that we may see

the form that lies hidden shown nakedly.


A star shines forth without hesitation

so shed your fears and quaint inhibitions.

Dance until your life's expiration

has fueled the alembic of inspiration.

The will to transform is irreversible,

so cast yourself into life's fiery crucible.


Without a pause .rez hurled himself o'er the brink,

so eager for the fire he could not think

was this his will or theirs or who's

or even if he should keep on his shoes.

Off came his shirt of silk, his trousers blue,

he cast off socks, his briefs he cast off too.

So eager was he to reveal his core

he sought to find what could he take off more.


He peeled off skin and tore the flesh from bone

until he stood a stark white skeleton.

And even that he shed to reach his bliss

and trembled at the kiss of nothingness.



"honoria in ciberspazio" is a cyberspace opera. The opera's libretto has been collected from Internet collaborators; original music is by composer George Oldziey. "honoria in ciberspazio" is the first opera ever to be webcast live on the Internet (December 9, 1995), and is currently seeking sponsorship to obtain a summer residency at the prestigious Watermill Center with Robert Wilson as a participating artist. - Aunti Honoria