aqua_forensic

The installation is a voyage into the relationship between microbial seas and humans, aquafarming the water habitats all around the planet. The question is: How do the oceans feel our impact?

The installation illuminates invisible anthropogenic (pharmaceutical) chemical pollutants – residues of human consumption – the “invisible monsters” in the water. The project combines art/science/citizen science in a “hunt for a phantom” and initiates a discussion on our solidarity and empathy with waters beyond human perception. With the aim of creating new narratives, the project is presented as an installation, workshop and public discussion.

The installation, connecting copper pipes and holographic videos, shows in vitro experiments with microorganisms dying in a solution of pharmaceuticals. It reveals the impact we have on the water habitat and its organisms. The pipe system connects everything in an immersive environment into which the viewer is interwoven and invited to examine not just the modules in which the holograms are presented, but also the artists’ book representing research on the invisible chemical pollutants.

This work was realised within the framework of the European Media Art Platforms (EMAP) programme at Ars Electronica (AT) with support of the Creative Europe Culture Programme of the European Union.