Marine Caves and Benthic Terrazzo

Installation

Description

Vast amount of plastic used in everyday life ends up in oceans and seas where it breaks into smaller pieces. Microplastics affect marine species,interfere with the flow of carbon in the ocean and, thus, contribute to climate change. “Marine Caves and Benthic Terrazzo” is an outcome of a year-long collaboration between the artist duo Hypercomf and a team of marine researchers studying plastic pollution in the sea and on the shore. As part of the project, the researchers explored the marine cave ecosystems of Chania in Crete and documented their biodiversity as well as their morphology, taking sediment core samples for analysis in the lab for microplastic pollution. The artists wandered at the seashore and collected plastic debris coming up with new uses for it. “Benthic Terrazzo” is a series of floor tiles, prototypes of a custom technique based on the traditional Venetian terrazzo. The proposed technique incorporates oceanic pollutants such as plastic objects, microplastics, nets, and ropes that replace part of the concrete and sand mixture typically used. Building associations between marine caves and human homes, the project addresses a call to rethink the habits and costs of everyday life.

Credits

Artists
Hypercomf
“Marine Caves and Benthic Terrazzo”, 2021
HD Video with sound, 15΄
Language
Greek with English subtitles
“Benthic Terrazzo” 2022
Terrazo: Cement, seashells, marble and granite, marine plastic waste and drifted plastic, 500x50cm
Produced by
Onassis Stegi as part of the Studiotopia project which is co-funded by the Creative Europe program of European Union
Scientific consultant
Markos Digenis, marine biologist
Equipment/material support
Blue Cycle network

About the artists