This research focuses on two specific areas of Bioluminescent Algae. The first one will be on how to grow them and to take care of them in the best way possible in order to give them the best conditions and keep them alive. The second field of interest is in the way they glow. I want to try different ways to make them illuminate so I can find the best interaction for this piece. I also want to know their limits: How long can they glow? How many times? etc.
As an artist working on a project about multi species communication, this research aims expending the knowledge on my medium, as well as giving me the boundaries within which this artwork can be exhibited.
Pyrocystis fusiformis
Pyrocystis fusiformis is a Bioluminescent Dinoflagellate specie that grows up to 1mm. It is commonly found on surface layers of warm temperate and tropical seawaters. When disturbance in water, they emit blue light as a defense mechanism to avoid being eaten. This theory, called The Burglar Alarm, was developed and experimented by Fleisher and Case in 1995. The sudden flashes of light catches the attention of higher predators of the Dinoflagellate's predator.
Pyrocystis fusiformis under the microscope - by Frédéric Blais-Bélanger
Making it glow
Project
As part of my Projektmodul Art and Biomedia: agencies of being, I am working on creating a platform where the viewer can perform a social interaction with a different specie by the forms of sound and dance.
Link to full project: GMU:Art and Biomedia/Frederic Blais-Belanger