The Geonosian Execution Arena: The Camaraderie of Cruelty

General Preface

When George Lucas created Star Wars, he wanted his universe to feel "lived in" – opposing the futuristic “clean slate” aesthetic of other sci-fi locales. Through Lucas’ attempt at realism, we are gifted a smattering of community-based case studies strewn across the Star Wars galaxy - a handful of which we will explore using the book Star Wars: Complete Locations.

Today we're hoisted by our wrists and await our deaths in the Geonosian execution arena.

A Communal Colosseum and the Camaraderie of Execution

Throughout history and into the present, colosseums continue to be an integral part of large communities. Harkening back to the Roman Colosseum, public executions have long been a staple for human entertainment. While the popularity of public executions has dwindled on Earth (to some degree), on the world of Geonosis the practice of public death is alive and well. While this fatal method is questionable, the resulting camaraderie is unmistakable. There's nary a seat to be had in lieu of the gruesome spectacle.

Geonosians await en masse for the impending spectacle

courtesy: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Sun and Shade

With execution pillars erected in the simmering sun, prisoners aren't even spared the luxury of shade before their ultimate demise. In a sense, the sun emits a pounding, contrasting spotlight amidst an otherwise shaded stadium. This subtle, ambient torture is an architectural taunt to the lowly prisoners. A shaded power play is afforded to the executioners whose awnings keep them cool during the ensuing bloodshed.

executionees in the baking sun

courtesy: Attack of the Clones (2005)

executioners in cooling shade

courtesy: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Winged Circulation

Under the limitations of a plodding humanity, it is easy to succumb to biped thinking. Locomotion isn't what it once was. With the advent of policy and paradigm, the concept of "jump" or "climb" is now left to child's play - creating a more subdued circulatory template. For every straight, there is a path; for every up, there is a stair; for every down, another stair. Given humanity's wingless predisposition and its pedestrian emergence from the jungle, this planar template is only indicative of our evolution.

The Geonosians, with their winged evolution, offer an aerial circulatory template to accommodate their flighted abilities. In the execution arena, one needn't walk anywhere. With flight, the "windows" placed along the upper deck become "doors" for the winged-beasts. All of a sudden, the "platforms" - resemblant of perches - needn't stairs nor elevators to reach them. And if, say, an execution goes awry, the stampeding exodus - an execution in its own right - will give way to a less hazardous "flocking" or "fleeing" out of the arena.

Geonosians fleeing (or dare I say "fleaing") out of the arena

courtesy: Attack of the Clones (2002)

 

Architectural Quirks

The architectural style is a fusion of a "termite-nest" and wind-eroded geology. This style relies heavily on texture and less so on material variety. As mentioned earlier, stairs are few and far between and altogether unnecessary. The corridors that exist within the arena's structures are insectoid in form - plodding jaggedly as if they had been burrowed (as they probably were).

The Geonosian spires common to Geonosian architecture

courtesy: Attack of the Clones (2002)

The People

The Geonosians are a winged insectoid. Like many insects on Earth, they live in hives and are birthed in nurseries. Additionally, they exhibit a similar power structure to an ant colony - many being lowly drones with others more highfalutin.

a Geonosian

courtesy: Attack of the Clones (2002)

What We Can Learn

While humans won't grow wings anytime soon, it is worth questioning if our planar locomotion could be expanded into three dimensions (planes, helicopters, and flying cars not withstanding). As we've accommodated the physically disabled with ADA policy, it may also be prudent to accommodate the physically enabled with a more demanding trek. Likewise, a less standardized circulation system - like the burrowed corridors of Geonosians - lends variety to linear and curvilinear circulation patterns. The interplay between natural geology and fabricated geology (liked the Geonosian's termite-like structures) is to be commended as well. It is important to remember that as members of this universe, fabrication is a natural byproduct of our existence, and when done well, our creations can coexist harmoniously with our natural surroundings.

courtesy: Star Wars: Complete Locations (illustrators: Jenssen & Chasemore)

References: 

Film: Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Star Wars: Complete Locations (illustrated by Jenssen & Chasemore). Lucas Books. DK. (2005)