Synopsis of S./STATE (The Bearer of STATE)
S./STATE (The Bearer of STATE) is a filmic novel,
written by visual artist Karin Arink (1967). It is a novel of ideas,
borrowing from the formats of anime / action films and SF books, but it is also
a psychological novel, exploring an inner self and the parameters of existence,
of power.
Set in a nameless country, the book centers around STATE,
an object incorporating all power and information structures of the state.
The person able to bear STATE is head of state, but for decades nobody has been able to.
In the mean time, a dictatorial President rules the country ruthlessly, aided
by an anonymous and almost mythical 'second in command'.
The novel is named for its main character, S.,
a pro-democratic terrorist who unexpectedly becomes the new Bearer of STATE.
Surviving many attacks, she tries to steer the hierarchic country to a more democratic
government. But she has not counted on the infiltration of STATE
into her body, her self, her being.
It takes time for S. to disable her most fierce opponent, and by then,
the infiltration of STATE is complete. The power and information structures
of STATE have changed her physically and altered her personality. She
has turned into an object, the object of veneration for some,
an object of hate for others.
The existence of a Bearer in itself inhibits the process of democratization,
and this leaves S. with only one choice. But before
she can accomplish this end, there are more changes she has to undergo....
S./STATE (The Bearer of STATE) is a filmic novel,
written by visual artist Karin Arink (1967). It is a novel of ideas,
borrowing from the formats of anime / action films and SF books, but it is also
a psychological novel, exploring an inner self and the parameters of existence,
of power.
Set in a nameless country, the book centers around STATE,
an object incorporating all power and information structures of the state.
The person able to bear STATE is head of state, but for decades nobody has been able to.
In the mean time, a dictatorial President rules the country ruthlessly, aided
by an anonymous and almost mythical 'second in command'.
The novel is named for its main character, S.,
a pro-democratic terrorist who unexpectedly becomes the new Bearer of STATE.
Surviving many attacks, she tries to steer the hierarchic country to a more democratic
government. But she has not counted on the infiltration of STATE
into her body, her self, her being.
It takes time for S. to disable her most fierce opponent, and by then,
the infiltration of STATE is complete. The power and information structures
of STATE have changed her physically and altered her personality. She
has turned into an object, the object of veneration for some,
an object of hate for others.
The existence of a Bearer in itself inhibits the process of democratization,
and this leaves S. with only one choice. But before
she can accomplish this end, there are more changes she has to undergo....
Copyright © Karin Arink 2003