Nomination
“In crystal we have a pure evidence of the existence of a formative life principle, and although in spite of everything we cannot understand the life of crystals – it is still a living being.” (Nikola Tesla, 1900)
Time Displacement – Chemobrionic Garden explores a relationship between hydrothermal chemistry, the passage of time, and the evolution of sound. The project consists of several small chemical garden formations in a water glass (sodium metasilicate) solution, to provide an insight into research on the origin of life and on chemical processes. The chemical reactions are monitored by cameras to detect changes in color and in shape by means of microcontrollers. The changes affect the code for live sound generation, and slowly alter the generative drone composition pervading the gallery space.
The project’s theoretical background is based on a paper entitled “From chemical gardens to chemobrionics”, written and issued by a group of 21 scientists on 29 May 2015, a reiterating call for research into the principles of self-assembling structures, to produce as they suggest new insights into the origin of metabolism in Earth’s early geological periods.
About
Project credits
Artists (Research and development): Robertina Šebjanič, Ida Hiršenfelder, Aleš Hieng – Zergon
Programming: Slavko Glamočanin
Production: Projekt Atol & LJUDMILA, 2015
Partner: Aksioma
Robertina Šebjanič (SL) is an internationally exhibited artist, combining art – technology – science. Her ideas and concepts are often realized in collaboration with others, through interdisciplinary and informal integration in her work. She is a member of Hackteria Network, Ljudmila, UR Institute, and Theremidi Orchestra.
Aleš Hieng – Zergon (SL) is a chemical engineer by profession as well as a DJ, a producer of electronic music, and a sound artist who also works in the field of audiovisual performances and DIY electronics. He is interested in sonic and audiovisual experimentations as well as club music.
Ida Hiršenfelder (SL) is a Ljubljana based media art curator and sound artist. Her focus research areas are media archeology and archives of media art. She works at the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova +MUSM on projects related to digital archives.