From the Olympus of Gaia to the Blockchain and NFTs

Is the Earth alive? This project considers the planet as a living organism that is 4.5 billion years old. In Greek mythology, Gaia is the personification of mother Earth. The Incas considered Pachamama a fertility goddess who embodied the mountains and caused earthquakes. The same can be said for the god Atabey of Puerto Rico, where this project began on account of the earthquakes of January 2020.

There are many ways to take the pulse of the Earth. In this interdisciplinary project, it is explored from different perspectives like the geological point of view or the forces of nature. We study how humans – consciously or unconsciously – copy nature, for example, via the concept of blockchain: information is dispersed all over the world and nevertheless interconnected. This notion can be compared to our body, where information is dispersed in every cell, while also being interconnected as a whole – a sort of cryptobody. Finally, these micro- and macrocosm are distributed using NFTs (non-fungible-token), whether to share our own DNA, the pulses of the earth we gathered, or the spectrum of the pulsating stars.

Video

The Pulse of Earth , UAI Universidad Abierta Interamericana (AR), LatBiolab – Laboratorio Latinoamericano de Bioarte (AR), Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PR), Credit: Joaquin Fargas, Emilia Galli

The Earth’s Pulse

Joaquín Fargas (AR), Johnny Lugo Vega (PR)

The Earth’s Pulse is a performance by Argentinian artist Joaquín Fargas, where the artist intertwines our Mother Earth with the Universe by connecting special seismometers to his own body, receiving signals sent by interacting audiences from all over the world, and sending the signals btained to outer space through radio telescopes. The audience will be able to interact with the artist iin real time during the performance, by sending words and relating a message of their choice to Mother Earth (Pacha Mama and Atabey) and to the Universe.

Latinamerican Bioart Lab

Alejandra Marinaro (AR)

The Latin American Bioarte Lab (LatBioLab) explores more than 12 years of bioart in Argentina, from “The Biosphere Project” by Joaquin Fargas (AR), to “Cellular Seeds” by Alejandra Marinaro.

Adopt the World

Verena Boheme (DE), Joaquín Fargas (AR)

This project consists of natural ecosystems isolated inside sealed containers that only allow the external influence of heat and light. The objective is to collaborate actively on raising awareness about the fragility of our planet and the importance and urgency of its care. With the concept that ¨the world is not for sale¨, the small biosphere adoption program was born; small worlds that represent our planet on an infinitesimal scale.

NFT, Beyond New Media Art

Joaquín Fargas (AR), Alejandra Marinaro (AR)

There is no doubt that digital art has changed a lot because of blockchain and the appearance of the NFT. Cryptoart is not just a new medium to express digital art, it could be part of the process itself. Through the example of works like “Cellular Seeds” by Alejandra Marinaro (AR), and the series “Cryptobody”, by Joaquín Fargas (AR), we can explore the future of the digital world.

Open Studio Fargas

Joaquín Fargas (AR)

The participants will be able to interact in real time with the works displayed in the studio andleave a message to the artist in the chat during stipulated hours.

Journey – The Pulse of Earth

UAI Universidad Abierta Interamericana (AR), LatBiolab – Laboratorio Latinoamericano de Bioarte (AR), Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PR)

They Journey “The Pulse of Earth” will give the online visitors an impression of the garden Buenos Aires.

Credits

Curatorial text: Joaquin Fargas (AR)
UAI Universidad Abierta Interamericana (AR)
LatBiolab Laboratorio Latinoamericano de Bioarte (AR)
Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust (PR)
Fundacion Manos Verdes (AR)
Objeto a Gallery (AR)
GenBA (AR)