UP TALKS | BIOMODD: When Art, Science, Culture and Community Meet

Summary

The talk explores the 'Biomod' project, a collaborative effort between artists, scientists, and designers since 2008. It discusses the project's evolution, focusing on its symbiotic relationship between biological and electronic systems, such as using algae to cool computers and tropical fish to regulate the algae's temperature. The project also addresses electronic waste, reusing components in creative ways. Challenges faced when adapting the project to the Philippines are highlighted, including cultural authenticity and the reuse of heat in a tropical climate. The talk concludes with the project's global impact and future directions, including the 'Seeker' project, which involves creating liveable bio-mod spaces.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The 'by Ahmad' project is a global collaboration involving artists, scientists, and designers to create bio-mod installations since 2008.
• 💻 The initial bio-mod project aimed to reuse electronic waste and explore symbiotic relationships between biological and electronic systems.
• 🌱 A key feature of the project is the use of algae to cool computers, which is then cooled by tropical fish, demonstrating a closed-loop ecosystem.
• 🌡️ The project had to adapt the use of heat in the Philippines due to the tropical climate, integrating hydroponics to reuse excess heat for growing fish.
• 🔄 The project's open-source approach extends to the games and operating systems used, promoting a collaborative and accessible technology experience.
• 🌏 The project's evolution includes a shift from monolithic structures to more distributed, 'rhizome'-like designs, reflecting a move towards decentralization and resilience.
• 🎮 The gaming aspect of bio-mod installations allows participants to engage with the living systems in a multiplayer, interactive environment.
• 🌱 The project has explored the concept of authenticity and hybridity through the mixing of algae from different regions, symbolizing global interconnectedness.
• 💼 Fundraising for the project was a creative process, involving the conversion of in-kind donations into funds and community engagement.
• 🚀 The 'Seeker' project extends the bio-mod concept to create livable 'starships,' blurring the lines between art, performance, and sustainable living.
• 🌐 The project's journey from Athens, Ohio, to the Philippines and beyond highlights the importance of local context and post-colonial discourse in global art and technology initiatives.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'by Ahmad' projects?

The 'by Ahmad' projects are a series of collaborative efforts involving artists, scientists, and designers to explore the intersection of art, science, culture, and community, particularly through the creation of bio mod installations.

What was the original purpose of the algae in the bio mod project?

The algae in the bio mod project were used to cool the computers within the installation, and in turn, the heat from the algae was used to warm tropical fish, creating a symbiotic relationship between biological and electronic systems.

How does the bio mod project address electronic waste?

The bio mod project addresses electronic waste by creatively reusing old computers and components, repurposing them within the installations, thus giving them a new life and reducing e-waste.

What is the significance of the gaming stations in the bio mod installations?

The gaming stations are integral to the bio mod installations as they allow participants to interact with the system, viewing it as a kind of multiplayer living game station, which adds an interactive and engaging element to the project.

How did the bio mod project adapt to the local context when it was moved to the Philippines?

When the bio mod project was moved to the Philippines, it adapted by integrating local elements such as using hydroponics to grow fish with the excess heat from computers, and incorporating local mythology and materials into the design.

What challenges did the project face when trying to transport the concept from the US to the Philippines?

The project faced challenges such as adapting to the local climate, which had different heat requirements, sourcing appropriate electronic components considered waste in the West but still valuable in the Philippines, and incorporating local cultural elements while maintaining authenticity.

How did the bio mod project engage with the local community in the Philippines?

The project engaged with the local community by involving students from the University of the Philippines, working with local woodcarvers, and integrating local mythology into the installations, thus creating a collaborative and culturally relevant experience.

What is the 'seeker' project mentioned in the script?

The 'seeker' project is an extension of the bio mod concept where communities are invited to design and live in a bio mod structure, essentially creating their own starships, which are then used as artistic and performance pieces.

How has the form factor of the bio mod installations evolved over time?

The bio mod installations have evolved from monolithic structures to more distributed and interconnected forms, moving from a 'tree-like' structure to a 'rhizomatic' structure, which is more flexible and resilient.

What is the significance of the open source technologies used in the bio mod project?

The use of open source technologies in the bio mod project signifies a commitment to accessibility, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge, allowing for greater community involvement and the potential for others to replicate or build upon the project's ideas.

How does the bio mod project juxtapose the local and the global?

The bio mod project juxtaposes the local and the global by taking elements from outside the local context, such as algae or water cooling systems, and hybridizing them with local resources and culture, thus creating a unique blend that reflects both global influences and local identity.