The next phase in my research project Genesis will be on display at Science Gallery Dublin as part of the exhibition Life At The Edges. The exhibition examines life in extraordinary environments, and humankind's passion for exploration, adventure, and discovery.
Genesis uses the coloring properties of extremophiles as an indicator of their growth and evolution. Nine containers are lined up to track changes in the organism through color, as they are forced to live in confined spaces. Inspired by the colorful basins of salt harvesting area's, one of the oldest manmade structures still in use today, the grid of containers form the stage for an extremophile species from the Dead Sea to perform. Able to survive under extremely high salinity, low or no oxygen and even a certain level of acidity, the organism is tested to its limits when exposed to the parameters set by the artist. Will the extremophiles survive, die, evolve? Producing pigments as a byproduct, their behavior becomes visible to the human eye in shades of red, pink and orange.
About Life At The Edges
Extreme places can provide a unique setting to expand our understanding of our climate and living systems. From arctic expeditions to deep-sea discoveries, this exhibition is about exploring frontiers and limits, and boldly pushing the boundaries of space, humanity, science, technology, biology, and determination.
What might we find living in unexplored places that can inspire new technologies, medicines or architecture? As our own planet grapples with more extreme and precarious environmental conditions, how could the constraints of extreme environments lead to creative new tools, methods, microorganisms, and technologies? And will humans one day inhabit outer space or live underwater, or have we already contaminated these hard-to-reach places with space junk, plastic gyres and invasive species?"
Details
Life At The Edges
Science Gallery
Trinity College Dublin
22.6.2018 - 30.09.2018
More information here
