This multi-channel projection works with the phenomenon of bioluminescence, which
is used by animals to communicate in the depths of the ocean where daylight cannot
penetrate. At first glance, the films are meant to look like a presentation of natural
history documentaries from, for example, the National Geographic Channel.
I work with the phenomenon of bioluminescence of animals by trying to play a
moving image on the surface of their bodies. I envision a mutation of electronic
imaging technologies of the future with imaging that occurs through the oxidation of
luciferin, in the presence of the luciferase enzyme. Using a 3D animation program, I
would simply like to play back a visual recording on the surface of an animal
endowed with the ability to control its own bioluminescence.
I am trying to visualize an animal, such as a very intelligent cephalopod, which plays
a man-made film recording in the most distant, deepest depths hardly accessible to
human beings. It emits this message like a light-bearer or enlightener into the desolate
darkness. It is the kind of information that we, people on the surface of the Earth,
perceive as vital, timely and important. But here, amidst the almost metaphysical
silence, the immense pressure and timelessness, it seems inadequate and ghostly. This
artistic strategy of mine is not dissimilar to that attempted by NASA in 1972 when it
launched the Pioneer space probe to the outer planets of the Solar System. On its
body was a golden plate that would inform aliens of human civilization.
Even here, in the dark emptiness of the ocean, I would like to broadcast a cinematic
image. However, it should be of a nature that is rather topically suggestive. That is,
one that has an urgent relevance to our human civilization, one that we expect to at
least change the world for the better. But what about such topicality here in the
timelessness where, for example, activist Greta tries to convince humanity that it
should do something about global warming? It is almost reminiscent of Leon Trotsky
waving a red flag in the middle of the endless empty taiga in Siberia. Seeming
foolishness and nonsense?
This is not entirely true, because this magical (i.e., unnatural) image works a little
with a different form of human nature. Namely the one that testifies to the importance
we ascribe to such information that is suggested to us by the media as something we
cannot do without, because if we ignored it, the world would simply collapse and
disappear.
Marine animals are using bioluminescence to send urgent messages from prominent
activists in the feminist and environmental movements:
Jellyfish – Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani human rights and female education activist
and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Squid – Emma Watson, British actress, model and campaigner for gender equality.
Monkfish – Hilda Flavia Nakabuye is a Ugandan climate and environmental rights
activist who founded Uganda’s Fridays for Future movement.
Sea Prawn – Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist.
Archaic News, 2021 recording of Emma Watson’s speech transmitted through
bioluminescence from the body of a squid. 3D animation, video length 3 min
Archaic News, 2021 recording of Hilya Flavia Nakabuye’s speech transmitted through
bioluminescence from the body of a monkfish. 3D animation, video length 3 min
Archaic News, 2021 recording of Greta Thunberg’s speech transmitted through
bioluminescence from the body of a sea prawn. 3D animation, video length 3 min
Archaic News, 2021 recording of Malala Yousufzai’s speech transmitted through
bioluminescence from the body of a jellyfish. 3D animation, video length 3 min
