“Ephemera: Bubble Representations as Metaphors for Endangered Species” presented by Sareen, Kakehi and Fu
Symposium:
Session Title:
- Ecosystems – Climate Change (short papers)
Presentation Title:
- Ephemera: Bubble Representations as Metaphors for Endangered Species
Presentation Subtheme:
- Symbiotic Organizations
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
The effects of a hierarchical relationship of humans with non-humans are now more pronounced than ever. Anthropogenic ecological stressors, including high levels of carbon dioxide, water scarcity, habitat fragmentation have led to disruption of climate systems, in turn endangering many local and global species. ephemera, is an installation formed by nucleation of CO2 bubbles in water, representing animals from all continents and ecologies currently under threat as per the IUCN Red list. These self- assembling bubble pictures are in a homeostasis at the beginning of the installation and shrink each hour to eventually disappear in a few days. The tension between the present endangerment and the urgency of the future action, manifests in the shrinking of these bubbles, invoking unnatural ephemerality due to the human effect. The fauna pictures in this installation, composed of carbon dioxide bubbles, symbolize the transitoriness of now threatened species.
