B.A.M.A.S. or B.A.M.A.T.S.

Installation in a Buffalo Storefront

1997

Donated by E.M.M.A.

Shortly after the 1996 U.S. Presidential Election, NASA identified a new frontier with the launch of the Mars Global Surveyor. In April 1997, NASA aimed cameras launched with the Martian probe briefly toward Buffalo to collect images of the city which has served as a benchmark for Martian observation and measurements.

In the Installation B.A.M.A.S. or B.A.M.A.T.S (Buffalo and Mars are Similar or Buffalo and Mars are the Same), EMMA presents images of Buffalo intercepted from the Martian Probe which are indistinguishable (or almost indistinguishable) from corresponding images of Mars. EMMA asserts that by exposing these and other images, EMMA exposes how bureaucracies like NASA make Buffalo seem strange.

As Jane Austin wrote, “It is only through strangeness that Buffalo can know itself.” We can only surmise that early 19th century Martian writers expressed similar, or the same sentiments in anticipation of late 20th century displays such as B.A.M.A.S. or B.A.M.A.T.S.Almost immediately after it was opened to the public, the B.A.M.A.S. or B.A.M.A.T.S installation (figure 1), was mysteriously stolen from its Buffalo storefront location. Over 6 years later and after extensive inquiry (Figure 2), there remain many suspects in this theft but no arrests have been made.