Screen shot of the work Habibti,
Adel Abdessemed, 2006
Photo credit: Georges Meguerditchian
Centre Pompidou
The Green Man,
scientific and artistic reflection on environmental issues
Petra Marić, PhD and Ana Sladetić Šabić, PhD
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
At the Rudjer Boskovic Institute Dr. Petra Marić conducted research from 2012 to 2015 studying these algae (Marić, 2015; Marić et al, 2017). The main purpose of this research was to test the toxicity of the invasive green tropical algae from the genus Caulerpa: C. taxifolia and C. racemosa that differ in localities within the Adriatic Sea from which they were taken (Stari Grad, Hvar and Vrsar, Istra). Algae from the genus Caulerpa are known for their ability to produce toxic compounds that can significantly disturb the balance of the local ecosystem and impact the health of humans and animals, especially during periods of its intensive blooms. These toxic compounds serve algae as a chemical defense mechanism against herbivores and competitors and greatly contribute to the invasive behavior of the algae.
The aim of this research was to identify the toxic compounds from these invasive algae and to reveal their toxic mechanism of action on the living cells that represent an integral part of every living organism. The study identified the major compounds (caulerpin, caulerpenyne) that are present in these algae and that demonstrated a toxic effect on the so-called cellular detoxification mechanism that is responsible for the elimination of the toxins from the cell. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, Dr. Marić sees the possibility of improving human life. If we could identify the toxin from the algae and reveal the exact mode of toxic action, could we use that compound to serve for biomedical purposes in order to create a cure for people with cancer? For this kind of research, it is necessary to manipulate the chemical structure of the compound and to treat it separately in order to create a synthetic drug that can be applied to the patient.
„THE GREEN MAN“ – artistic research work
The work made in the screen printing graphic technique shows a silhouette of a man that is laid horizontally - floating, levitating and "protected" in space. However, by carefully observing the silhouette of the man, his circulatory system is complemented by multiple lines "aesthetically decorated" by the algae. An ironic scene invites the viewer to participate. The covered plexiglass surface also contains lines. But here, these lines represent the link to the voices that are not heard and the tone in which the research ended due to a lack of finances and support and further interest in research. By touching the lines made from electricity-conducting paint and printed on the plexiglass display, a circuit is created and indeed, the lines transmit the sound and voice of Dr. Petra Marić and her research. The layout of the man is a silhouette by its Ms. Sladetić that continues the "Habibti" work from 2006, made by Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed who often questions issues of politics and social exclusion. The glass silhouette of his wife in the work "Habibti” floats in space and, like this work, the author wants to evoke not only the natural course of life that is fragile and absolute, as well as communication and togetherness. “The Green Man“ art work reveals a critique of environmental scientific research in Croatia and the world which is otherwise hidden within the scientific community and is not publicly disclosed. The voice that exposes this criticism is activated by touching the lines on the plexiglass which motivates the observer to participate, thus making him indifferent to the work itself. This art work encourages passive observation. By consciously participating and touching the lines and through the research content itself, the art work seeks to achieve cooperation independent of knowledge in both scientific and artistic research. The art work contains real environmental research, the layout of a man – as a symbol of the endangered, but also responsible for the pollution, and the line = the voice of revelation. In this work, the circulatory system of the human body becomes a symbol of the aquatic environment that is devastated by algae that spread uncontrollably and like a dense carpet cover every part of the human body, as they do in the seas and oceans. The invasion of algae that are attacking the man is hidden in this artistic work deep within the human body, just like at the bottom of the ocean. It signifies an "unhealthy" condition that is far from the surface and eyes of the public. The purpose of this artistic work is to show the actual situation where algae replicate dominant human behavior based on power and inequality and the presence of an invasive, competitive and toxic state in scientific and artistic research practice. Using the links in the work or its lines of voice, the observer is invited to discover the real truth and actual state of research as it really is.
INTRODUCTION
In the early 20th century during a visit to Australia a pair of French aquarium experts was fascinated by local algae and their beauty. They saw a good opportunity to decorate the seawater public aquariums with the Australian algae in order to make a more comfortable surrounding for their water inhabitants and to impress spectators with their attractive appearance. At the time they could not imagine how such an act would affect the marine flora and more recently our Adriatic Sea. Removing algae from its natural habitat and relocating it to Europe for decorative purposes followed by its inadequate disposal (throwing it into the sea) causes such algae to become an invasive species that has no natural enemy.
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH PRACTICE
Some of the fundamental problems that exist in ecology and environmental science in practice are that this type of research requires expensive and sensitive instruments in order to conduct all the necessary analysis and testing, which often represents a financial challenge. Environmental research is often marginalized and suppressed in competitive applications for project funding where human research and human medicine have the advantage and greater importance. Time and environmental samples are also represented as fundamental issues of ecology in practice. Due to complexity of environmental samples, an interdisciplinary approach and collaboration of experts from different scientific fields is required, making this kind of research more time-consuming. In the current scientific system where timelines for promotions are strictly defined and limited, researchers more often pursue carreers in human research because the production of scientific papers is higher. All of the above-mentioned encourages us to reflect on the fundamental problems that are present in scientific practice and the formation of the so-called "fast food" science that aims to publish as many scientific papers as possible in a shorter period of time, thus reducing the quality and value of the scientific research. Also, projects that investigate ecocatastrophes caused by humans are sometimes subjected to the political influence and influence of big corporations (such as pharmaceutical companies) and their attempts to sabotage the research in order to cover up their own mistakes. After mentioning all the problems and challenges that ecology in practice faces, we can conclude that a change in human consciousness and value system in our society is needed. Greater sensitivity and awareness of the human population is necessary in order to save and conserve the environment. The aim of this artistic research work is to draw attention to the problems mentioned in the ecology of practice and present ecology.
ARTISTIC RESEARCH
What is artistic research? As the words themselves describe it - it is exploration within or through art. Throughout the history of art one can trace the landscapes that artists have recorded. These art works are actual records of the time in which they were created - landscapes of everyday life and the environment. Through art paintings visitors to a museum or gallery can conclude in what kind of an environment the artists lived or were fascinated by and what surrounded them. Sometimes the threat to the environment is hidden from the public eye, like this one from the depths of the sea. The research itself, as one might conclude, has also not been revealed to a wider public. With this artistic research work we will question the hidden and the non-transparent in present ecology in order to advance knowledge in art and research.
Voice when visitor touches the line of the head:
“Man is the most important in research practice. In theory research studies are oriented on the environmental well-being, but in practice they are directed towards humans and their benefit. In this vortex of human selfishness and egoism, there is no real and genuine interest for ecological research that would save and preserve the environment. In Croatia, the algae of the genus Caulerpa have settled in the area of the island Hvar and in Istria. Studies have shown that they release toxic compounds in the environment, threatening the health of humans and surrounding organisms. Since 2010, the status of these algae in the Adriatic Sea is no longer under investigation as funding for its monitoring has been terminated.”
The Green Man, installation, electric-conductive paint on plexiglass, silkscreen, touchboard, cabels, speaker, 80 x 210 cm, 2019
Voice when visitor touches the line of the heart:
“Injustice, inequality and neglect for the environment is present in a value system where money and power are unfortunately more valuable than life and the environment. Natural wealth on which monetary value is based comes from the environment. Without the environment there is no survival of mankind. Therefore, it is necessary to continue environmental research, to propose new environmental projects that would be provided with all the resources required for its research and to encourage researchers to study environmentally related topics.”
Voice when visitor touches the line of the stomach:
“The environment is a complicated matrix that requires the use of different and often sensitive instruments for studying it. Such environmental research is expensive and time-consuming and often lacks competent scientific experts. In the race with the final goal to gain academic prestige, researchers are turning their backs on environmental studies and building their careers by exploring easier and more accessible research topics.”
Voice when visitor touches the line of the hand:
“Hands as an extension of all that poisons the human heart reveal the truth about human greed and the need for power. These same hands are also the only extension that can initiate and approve proposals for ecological research and conservation of our environment. New opportunities for the environment can be created by joining hands of both scientists and artists in a joint creation of environmentally conscious scientific and artistic research.”
Voice when visitor touches the line of the fist:
“Sabotage is often present in environmental research due to corporate and political influence as well as competitive research itself. People do not want to take responsibility for their malicious or accidental mistakes made to the environment. The situation in Croatia is no different, and there are no encouraging indications that it will change soon.”
