“Chemical Ecosystem” by Yolanda Uriz Elizalde

Title:

Chemical Ecosystem

Artist(s) and People Involved:

Artist Statement:

Olfactory communication is a constant among living beings, however it is more evident in plants and animals. Between human beings, the exchange of audiovisual information is growing exponentially, even activities where chemistry is (or was) essential, such as flirting or seducing, are being replaced by virtual dating applications. In the recent digitization of our activities, is there room for other types of stimuli and communication that are not exclusively audiovisual?

Chemical Ecosystem reflects on the function of smell today, drawing inspiration from inter-species olfactory communication. It invites the public to observe how its presence influences the environment and affects the beings that inhabit it, listening to the olfactory messages that these inhabitants emit.

Ten synthetic organisms hang from a circular cover. They have fans that diffuse odors, small speakers emitting sounds, and gas sensors capturing the composition of the surrounding air. The sounds vary dynamically according to the data of the composition of the air, affected by the human presence.