# animate! › Films › Biogenesis by William Latham › synopses

Canonical: https://animate.org.uk/films/biogenesis/synopses

Discovery terms: 1990s animation, computer animation, artificial life, evolution, technology, experimental short film, filmmaker, artist

The following is the archived page text; discovery terms above are separately sourced metadata.

Archive status: restored in 2026; historical calls, deadlines and services are closed.

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**Biogenesis** a film by William Latham

1993, 4 min 43 sec

### animate! synopsis

Survival of the most aesthetic in a synthetic digital universe of constantly evolving coral forms. From cell to psychedelic, this is DNA with attitude, and a reply to all those who did not think there could be life in the machine.

### long synopsis

**Biogenesis** shows the evolution of artificial life forms in a synthetic universe where ‘survival of the fittest’ is replaced by ‘survival of the most aesthetic‘. We see cellular evolution and the replication of mutations forming chain-like structures resembling coral.

The artist is like a gardener – breeding, selecting, marrying and steering the course of evolution for creative ends. The film is a record of this evolutionary process.

It can be viewed as a psychedelic experience or a more subtle parody of a man’s relationship with the natural world through modern technology.

**Biogenesis** film, stills and other materials © William Latham 1993