aqua_forensic
Robertina Šebjanič (SI), Gjino Šutić (HR)
installation, 2018

The installation illuminates the invisible anthropogenic (pharmaceutical) chemical pollutants – residues of human consumption. It is connecting copper pipes and holographic videos, that are showing the moment of the in vitro experiments of microorganisms dying in the 20.000 times weaker solution of pharmaceuticals, than the one average human dose. Its showing what kind of impact we do have towards the water habitats and it’s life (from micro to macro levels). The pipe system is connecting it all into the immersive environment, where the viewer is intertwined with it and invited to have a look at the modules where the holograms are presented and also to study the artist book.

The book is representing the research of these invisible chemical pollutants (mood controllers, antibiotics, antimycotics, painkillers, hormone pills etc.), that was conducted at a residency in the summer of 2018 in two specific localities: Danube river (Linz, AT) and Adriatic Sea (Dubrovnik, HR).

The vast complexity of the ecosystem that covers more than 70% of the planet, producing over 80% of the atmospheric oxygen, is still mysterious. With pollution we change the oceans inside out – influencing life and behavior of the whole loop of the interconnected ecosystem. Anthropogenic presence is now present in every part of the water habitats.

The question is: How do the oceans feel our impact?

Robertina Šebjanič (SI) is an internationally exhibited and awarded artist. Her work deals with the cultural, (bio)political and ecological realities of aquatic environments. With her projects she tackles the philosophical questions at the intersection of art, technology and science.

Gjino Šutić (HR) is a biotechnologist, post-modern intermedia artist, innovator & educator. He is the founder and director of Universal Research Institute & Gen0 Industries and conducts research in several fields of science (biotechnology, bioelectronics, experimental electronics, ecological engineering) and postmodern new media art (Bio Art, Digital Art, Installation Art, Hybrid Art).