BLOOMS

Phytoplankton blooms are key actors in the equilibrium of our atmosphere, producing more than half of the 21% atmospheric oxygen that sustains all life on Earth. At the base of the oceanic food web, they can photosynthesize and nourish marine food chains. Yet, some algal species could also transform the chemical composition of the sea as they bloom, releasing harmful compounds and starving other marine life of sunlight and oxygen. Saturation of toxins hides within life-sustaining agencies. 


Rising temperatures, marine heat waves, and pollution from agriculture, cities, and industry contribute to eutrophication—a process where excess nutrients “feed” the water, creating conditions for blooms to thrive, disrupting aquatic metabolic cycles. Through scientific data from satellite imagery and microscopy, BLOOMS illuminate the cosmopolitan algae species found in South East Asia, the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, and Brandenburg. 


And in response to this scientific composition of blooming seas, an orchestral soundscape is created for a sensorial VR experience that animates the microcosmic view into the life of phytoplankton, making the invisible audible.

 

 

BLOOMS is co-created by Wendy Chua, Joyce Koh, Gustavo Maggio, in collaboration with Christian Stein and Object Space Agency research group (Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin), Sandric Leong and Team HABs at the Tropical Marine Science Institute (National University of
Singapore).


Commissioned by the EU S+T+ARTS Artist Residency ReSilence.


Funded by: EU S+T+ARTS, DFG


Partners: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, playersjourney, TMNI – Tropical Marine Science Institute National University of Singapore, Centre for Cultural Techniques – TA T Tieranatomisches Theater