LINEWOMEN, by Xinyi Li and Yu Shi (MSAUD Entertainment Studio)

Описание: Work by Xinyi Li (MArch/MSAUD '24) and Yu Shi (MSAUD '24) for "Narrative Engineering, Myth & Machine", a MSAUD IDEAS Entertainment Studio taught by Natasha Sandmeier and Liam Denhamer. This studio investigates the dynamic relationship between technology, environment, and the human experience, revealing how tools both shape and are shaped by the worlds they inhabit. By exploring the narratives embedded in these interactions, this studio seeks to uncover the transformative power of innovation within interconnected systems.

This story is inspired by the often-overlooked yet essential infrastructures that hold our world together—electric grids, internet cables, and bridges—symbols of human ingenuity and our fragile relationship with nature. These systems not only connect people but also reveal the intricate interplay between the natural and built environments. Drawing on this idea, the narrative imagines a future where Earth's magnetic field has weakened due to human exploitation and pollution, leading to ecological collapse, intensified solar radiation, and widespread electrical grid failures. In response, scientists develop a global network of electromagnetic towers to stabilize the planet, requiring cables to be transported and installed in the most remote and inhospitable regions.

At the center of this effort is Cheryl, a linewoman who traverses isolated landscapes, enduring physical and emotional challenges to fulfill her vital role in reconnecting a fractured world. Through Cheryl’s journey, the story explores profound themes of love, responsibility, and the evolving relationship between humanity and nature. It reflects on the ways the past shapes the present and the present influences the future, inviting a dialogue on the cost of progress and the enduring human spirit. By intertwining personal sacrifice with global necessity, the narrative becomes a meditation on resilience, interconnectedness, and the delicate balance required to sustain both life and the planet.

See more from this project here: https://aud.ucla.edu/student-work/arc...