GMU:Life in an aquatic ecosystem/Negin Ehtesabian

Luminescent dance: the Algae Light spectrum

Suggested installation for the project; with parallel panels in a deep-frame box with lighting (digital collage: photoshop + hand drawing)

This project investigates how environment such light and nutrition interacts with Chlamydomonas and Euglena, a type of green algae. The research is to examine how different conditions affect the algae's movement and density. This will involve feeding the algae and keep them in a laboratory condition, collecting data, creating journal with drawings and photos, and providing a brief introduction the findings.

This installation highlights the fragility and sensitivity of some of the most valuable single-celled organisms for humans and the environment. It offers an interactive experience that explores the relationship between the algae and light, providing an educating insights to this tiny-looking detail of science that some biologists dedicate years of their lives to study this essential species.

Documenting observations and information during the research

Installation:

The installation features several parallel plates made of delicate calque paper or sheer fabric moving and overlapping consistent with the light strength. These panels, or free form fabrics display drawn designs of Chlamydomonas, which can project density change by moving the panels through external threads, to be interactive or automatic. The lighting creates a watery ambiance, and ideally, it would be companied with some nature sounds. Incorporating sound could enhance the sensory experience of the installation.

Here are some AI-generated samples based on the project's prompt: exploring the possibilities.

Some of the journal's pages:

• 

Some photo of the Lab-experiments:

Right: First day after feeding algae in three containers; 2-4: the three samples after two weeks in the light box, with two of the bottles using the air pump. Observation: Euglena appears green and dense, indicating it thrived in the environment, with adequate food and light/heat; However, Chlamydomonas is dead, and there is mold throughout: Too much light and warm appears to have harmed Chlamydomonas.

Basic food for euglena