The interactive installation FadingColors by Noor Stenfert Kroese (NL) and Amir Bastan (IR) combines living algae cultures with data on coral bleaching in the world’s oceans almost in real time. In this way, the algae directly reflect the situation under the sea surface.
Coral reefs not only provide protection and a habitat for numerous underwater species—they also live in close symbiosis with algae cultures and obtain their nutrients from them. Climate change is altering the living conditions of the algae. If they disappear, the lack of nutrients in the coral leads to bleaching and our world literally loses its colour.
FadingColours is an interactive installation that combines living algae cultures with data on coral bleaching in the world’s oceans almost in real time. The algae in the installation’s five vessels are connected to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch, a database used to monitor and study coral reefs worldwide using data collected by satellites. The algae in the installation directly reflect the situation of their species and the corals below the sea surface.
Credits
NOAA Coral Reef Watch
Text for audio/children – Lisa van der Hoeven