SENTIENT I
Observing and being immersed into micro-macro nonhuman self-trajectory behaviours to reduce the distance between primordial single cells and human physicality.
Digital UV print of the single cell Physarum polycephalum onto a transparent acrylic disc (detail)
Overview of Sentient I including the single cell sculpture/object and the video projection showing the microscopic movements and magnification of Physarum polycephalum (detail)
Video mix showing the microscopic movements and magnification of Physarum polycephalum while foraging for food (extract)
Immersive videoscape
At the intersection of art and science, Sentient I (2018) revisits vibrant matter through the magnification of microscopic movements, nonhuman self-trajectory behaviours and sensorial experience.
In Sentient I the motion of particles in a current and the immersive soundscape become the core of a living environment. The multinucleate, single cell Physarum polycephalum expands and contracts at a constant rate through a network of trans-vascular ‘veins’ while foraging for food.
The spectator is immersed in an equally human and nonhuman relationship while being immersed in deep ancestral and organic sounds.
The soundscape is an original composition for feedback bass drum, reed organ, bass clarinet and bucket of water with subsequent digital processing. The instrumentation reflects the nature and processes of the video subject, valves, pumps, liquid under pressure and chance operations.
In addition to the video, the printed acrylic disc sculpture captures the essence of this collaborative multi-headed growth at the apex of its life force. It shows one of several experiments that the artist undertook during six months of culturing Physarum polycephalum in a petri dish with agar, powdered oats and Valeriana officinalis roots.