Video Documentation "Sculpting Life_Transcending the gyre_ exquisite colonies of plasticized symbiosis" 2015

"Sculpting Life_Transcending the gyre_ exquisite colonies of plasticized symbiosis" 2015
[A Re-Contextualization of the living marine reef ecosystem]
40 gallon custom acrylic aquarium,pumps, filters, actinic lights, resin,fiber optics,acrylic, reclaimed plastics, led's,thermal formed plastics, archival imaged plastics, 40 living corals,fish, shrimp, invertebrates, algae,1080p HD video with original audio track.
36 (w) X 92" (h) x 24 inches

  [dNASAb]’s most recent body of work has evolved in exciting new directions. These dynamic new works are informed via the intense observation of the living marine reef ecosystem. The artist maintains a full blown reef ecosystem in his studio in which he nurtures and propagates dozens of species of living corals, as well as the subsequent ecosystem needed for them to thrive, fish, invertebrates and bacteria. The artist refers to the reef aquarium as the “studio tank”, and as the name suggests it is a place of research into developing living sculpture. [dNASAb] conducts research utilizing new materials, species integration and optical systems in an effort to re-contextualize the reef environment.

  The underwater world has always been a source of inspiration for the artist but it’s this daily interaction with this pristine system that informs the new works in this series. The tank requires extreme measures to maintain suitable water chemistry and a sterile environment for the species to thrive, the most important step in this process is intense observation. Utilizing the same level of observation the artist has turned his discerning eye to the natural environments that are the foundations for a healthy reef. Sadly, the same standard of cleanliness does not exist in real life. What the artist has found on the beaches, in the Ocean’s, and strewn through the mangrove nurseries is horrifyingly inspirational.

  “Like an Ocean gyre, a vortex of artifacts of a consumption based contemporary society such as; plastic bottles and bags, fishing nets, and helium balloons become ensnarled with driftwood, dead coral, and seaweed creating a grotesques amalgamation of disparate materials which remarkably can still harbor life and be a sculptural framework for life to grow. I aim to develop work that embodies this contemporary conundrum.”

Special Thanks to Frederieke Taylor, Desiree Konian, Scott Williams, Larry Morris, Brian Bronzino, Warren Vanvarick, Bob Dellavechia, Ryan Michael Ford, Tyrome Salvatore Tripoli, Erik Pye, Lydia Kernodle, Justin Wood, Lauren Clark, Aquatic Visions, Sea Level Aquarium, MOTE Tropical Marine Research Lab and VoltaNY.

“Sculpting Life, A re-contextualization of the living marine reef ecosystem” #2 2014 [Bloomberg Aquascaping Project by [dNASAb]

“Sculpting Life, A re-contextualization of the living marine reef ecosystem” #2 2014
[Bloomberg Aquascaping Project by [dNASAb]
Thermal formed plastics,hand cast archival images, 40 living corals, cast clear plastic 3d  fiber optic nodes,120 led's,acrylic, fiber optics,reclaimed/recycled plastics, aquatic resin, live rock, and a full marine ecosystem.

Sculptural Aquascaping, Lake George Sculptural Aquatic Interventions 2014 by [dNASAb]

"Sculptural Aquascaping, Lake George Sculptural Aquatic Interventions" 2014 by [dNASAb]
Found materials,recycled plastics, lake stones and driftwood,aquatic resin, 32 underwater led's

“Sculpting Life, A re-contextualization of the living marine reef ecosystem” 2014 by [dNASAb]

“Sculpting Life, A re-contextualization of the living marine reef ecosystem” 2014
Thermal formed plastics,24 hand cast archival images, 60 living corals, cast clear plastic 3d  fiber optic nodes,270 led's,acrylic, fiber optics,reclaimed/recycled plastics, aquatic resin, live rock, and a full marine ecosystem.

The artist [dNASAb] uses mixed media to evoke the forms, textures, and colors of the living coral reef, as well as the biodiversity of ocean life. A seasoned scuba diver, the artist seeks to share his experience of the underwater world’s perception changing power.

“The living coral reef ecosystem only covers about 1% of the ocean,” writes the artist, “but provides a full 25% of the oceans’ biodiversity. I am awed by the extreme degree of specialization these species have developed throughout their evolution. ”

[dNASAb] reproduces the shifting organic growth of the reef by allowing living invertebrates to fasten to the work, making the sculpture part of the living coral it seeks to mimic. In this way the sculpture- like the reef and its inhabitants-transforms over time. With its ability to create, regenerate, and evolve in real-time, [dNASAb]’s work reflects the corporate culture on the other side of the aquarium glass.

Employing plastics, LEDs, fiber optics, and other media, [dNASAb]’s  Aquascaping Project makes the connection between the rich biodiversity of the reef and the accelerating  social and cultural evolution of the world we inhabit on land.

*No aquatic life was harmed by sculpture installation or presence in the tank*

BLOOMBERG’S NEWEST ART INSTALLATION: THE AQUASCAPING PROJECT

July 1, 2014

Using mixed media – including fiber optic cables, fluorescent plastics, and LEDs – the artist [dNASAb] created a unique site- specific piece in 731 Lexington’s giant sixth floor fish tank. The artwork, called the Aquascaping Project, also employs living coral to reflect the organic, vibrant way in which our company grows and expands around the world.

https://youtu.be/dpxjh2eSj_s

Art installations in Bloomberg offices globally represent our commitment to excellence in design, innovation, access, and new technologies in the arts. Bloomberg partners with a wide-range of arts organizations.

"Sculpting Life; A Recontextualisation of the living marine reef ecosystem" by [dNASAb] #FiberOpticReef #SculptingLife #FutureReef #Bloomberg

"Sculpting Life; A Recontextualisation of the living marine reef ecosystem" by [dNASAb] #FiberOpticReef #SculptingLife #FutureReef #Bloomberg #SculpturalAquascaping ____photo from install.

"Sculpting Life; A Recontextualisation of the living marine reef ecosystem" by [dNASAb] 2014

Thermal formed plastics,24 hand cast archival images, 70 living corals, cast clear plastic 3d  fiber optic nodes,270 led's,acrylic, fiber optics,reclaimed/recycled plastics, aquatic resin, live rock, and a full marine ecosystem.

Installed on June 27th and June 28th, 2014 in the Bloomberg Tower at 731 Lexington Avenue,NYC. Housed in the central  7 story Atrium known as the "Link" that overlooks the courtyard. The living sculpture resides inside of a 3,000 gallon Marine Reef Ecosystem Tank.

 special Thanks to Michael Bloomberg, Patti Harris, Lauren Smiith, Beth Mazzeo, Heather Harris,Kara Finnerty, Paul Kasmin, Scott Williams, Bobby Dellavecchia, Larry Morris, Desiree Konian and everyone else who was an integral part in facilitating the actualization of a dream.