Secret Machine
is a three screen installation looped 7 min. transfered from 16mm and stills.
Secret Machine is the second from a three-part cycle exploring the imperceptible conditions that frame life.

In Secret Machine, the same protagonist encounters an antagonist that is studying her, measuring her body and comparing her to units of space and time. Clocks rush and her movements are calculated on a grid: the eye is observed augmented through lenses; under water her breath is submitted to a resistance rate; needles are use to quantify her reactions and pain: and storing machines capture voice and motion. For the scientist measurement is understanding. While human nature appears confined in the framework and efforts of rationality, the aspiration of trapping the soul conduce the antagonist to imagine the improvable. At the operation table she opened a small vivisection in the patient body. With a flower stigma she proceeds to pollinate her, giving to nectar and blood the same flow.

Protagonist Helga Wretman
Antagonist Ana Bellido
Stand in for Antagonist Nana Bahlmann

Cinematography by Carlos Vasquez

Art Direction, Production Design: Maria Schöpe
Motion Programming: Daniel Urria
Assistant to Carlos Vasquez: Juan Manuel Ortiz
Set Construction: Thomas Maurer
Driver: Daniele Fermani
Drawings: Clement Page
Intern: Dylan Walsh
Intern: Laura Speicher
Math and Philosophy Consultant: Erik Douglas

Post-Production
Director Visual Effects: Carlos Vasquez
Music, Additional Foley: Hannes Strobl
Film to Video Transfer: Philipp Orgassa at