Everything About the Contemporary Is Panda

The project Everything about the contemporary is panda explores the panda as a multifaceted symbol of contemporary humanity, drawing inspiration from R.J. Lifton’s concept of fragmented identity in The Protean Self.

The solitary nature of pandas, exacerbated by habitat fragmentation due to modernization, mirrors the isolation and disconnection experienced by many individuals in contemporary society. However, unlike humans, pandas have not adapted well to this change. They found their biological niche through a genetic mutation in the spine, which allowed them to sit comfortably. Bamboo, their primary food source, is poor in nutrients and has to be eaten 16 hours a day, due to which their libido remains particularly low.

Martychowiec’s work highlights the panda’s transformation into a symbol of governmentality and control. The panda reserve in China, initially established to protect the species, has become a microcosm of societal manipulation. Pandas, now extinct in the wild, are kept in ‘panda villas’ where their every need is catered to, their reproduction controlled through artificial insemination, and their maternal instincts suppressed. This docile and domesticated existence reflects the ways in which power structures can shape and manipulate individuals to conform to societal expectations.
For Martychowiec, the panda represents the contemporary individual, entangled in and molded by power dynamics across various domains, including politics, culture, conservation, and ecology. The panda’s recurring presence in his work serves as a constant reminder of the individual’s vulnerability and susceptibility to manipulation within these systems.

Furthermore, the panda functions as a counterpoint to other recurring symbols in Martychowiec’s oeuvre. In The Incredulity of St. Thomas, the figure of Thomas symbolizes the skeptical observer, questioning and challenging the dominant narrative. In contrast, the panda represents the passive acceptance of societal norms and expectations. Similarly, in Josephine, the rabbit Josephine embodies existential resistance, defying the panda’s complacency and offering an alternative model of existence.
Through the panda, Martychowiec offers a critical commentary on the contemporary human condition, highlighting the tension between individual agency and societal control, the dangers of complacency, and the importance of resistance and critical thinking in navigating the complexities of the modern world.