Strange Body Practice

I was in Milwaukee for the weekend so I didn't have internet or a chance to search through Avatar to find a scene (apparently a few people chose the same scene...too late to switch since I already wrote everything below!), so I will do the best that I can from memory...

Although it is a strange example, I believe that the concept of humans using science to live in avatar bodies to be a body practice. Therefore, I chose the scene near the beginning of the movie when Jake first connects with and tests out his avatar body. This may not be a common body practice, but it is significant for the select few people that have to opportunity to participate in it. In terms of quickly mapping these avatar bodies, they are larger than typical human bodies, much more graceful, and of course blue.

In this scene, I believe that a feeling of intrigue is developed through the visual and aural representations as Jake wakes up in his new body, is surrounded by human scientists, slowly gets up, then rushes to test out his new body (despite the scientists' disapproval). This is the introduction to the avatars, so there is an understandable sense of confusion as this is our first time seeing this unheard of science in action.

The movie attempts to instill this feeling of interest and wonder through various signifiers. For example, the table that Jake wake up in his avatar body on resembles an examination table at a doctor's office, meaning that the scientists are unsure of how the connection will go and need to conduct tests and examinations before they send Jake out into Pandora. The effect of this signifier is through its contribution to the uncertainty that viewers may feel as they watch this scene. If the scientists are concerned, then it is natural to fall into the structure of feeling of mirroring these authority figures' emotions. The scientists can also be considered signifiers as they attempt to control Jake, yet tend to shrink back as he makes advances. These actions of the experts further illustrates the hesitation and possible fear from the much smaller and weaker humans (a psychodynamic force that tells us to avoid things that could potentially harm us) surrounding the avatars, therefore enhancing the sense of uncertainty that the audience feels in addition to augmenting their intrigue.

Because we do not have avatar technology or blue people running around, it is pretty common for people to view this film as a fantasy. Those who don't accept this concept as well as others tend to fall into the strange "post-Avatar depression," longing for the fictional, "perfect" world of Pandora to be their reality. The view of Pandora as an ideal world, even though it does not exist, aids in bridging the gap between reality and myth as it gives us an opportunity to escape reality and temporarily fall into a dream. I feel that the uncertainty within this beginning scene conveys the idea that although Pandora seems like the place to be, it still contains things that one should doubt and even fear. Jake's stumbles, the scientists' uncertainty, and the general dangers on this planet remind us that nowhere is perfect, even if people tend to overlook the imperfections and fall into the unique form of depression related to this popular movie.