Biomodd: A Living Game Computer As Social Sculpture

Symposium:

• ISEA2008: 14th International Symposium on Electronic Art

• Biomodd: A Living Game Computer As Social Sculpture

• Angelo C.J. Vermeulen

Venue(s):

• Singapore Management University, Seminar Room, Singapore, Singapore

• Biomodd is a socially engaged art installation that finds meaningful relationships between biology, computers and people. On the most basic level, Biomodd creates symbiotic relationships between plants and computers, and ignites conversations among the community around them. For example, algae are used to cool computer processors so they can run faster, while the heat that is generated by the computer electronics is used to create ideal growing conditions for a plant-based ecosystem. This dynamic is the catalyst for collaboration between the team members – which include, artists, biologists, computer scientists, game designers, gardeners, community organizers – and members of the local community in which the project takes place.This open source project was conceived of by Belgian biologist turned artist Angelo Vermeulen. He and fellow collaborators have brought Biomodd to a number of different countries throughout the world. The first version started in Athens, Ohio, USA, in 2007.  biomodd.net

Category:

• Artist Talk