Science and art share deep interconnections. Both fields rely on creativity, observation, and innovation to explore and interpret the world around us. Artists often draw inspiration from scientific discoveries, translating complex concepts into visual, auditory, or performative experiences. Conversely, scientists often employ artistic techniques to visualize data, communicate ideas, and spark imagination.
In February 2024, Sputniko! joined OIST as its first Visiting Artist, bringing her extraordinary portfolio of science and art pieces on themes like technology, gender, and feminism. Over the past year, she interacted with OIST scientists to create a new artwork inspired by OIST’s research, grounded in scientific data.
Sputniko! decided to focus on coral reefs, an ecosystem that has been severely affected by climate change in recent years. OIST’s location in Okinawa, surrounded by diverse and ecologically rich marine environments, makes marine science a major research focus. The result of this dialogue is an on-chain generative artwork and a corresponding exhibition, both entitled Coral Colors.
Through Coral Colors, Sputniko! invites audiences to confront the urgent reality of coral reef degradation and aims to spark awareness of the effects of global warming. Professor Timothy Ravasi, head of OIST’s Marine Climate Change Unit, provided scientific data and guidance for the project.
The Challenge: Coral Reefs and Global Warming
Coral reefs, renowned for their breathtaking beauty, play a vital role as habitats for a diverse array of marine life. However, in recent years, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by coral bleaching, a phenomenon exacerbated by global warming. When seawater becomes too warm, corals get stressed and expel the algae (zooxanthellae), which live in symbiosis with the coral providing nutrients through photosynthesis. Loss of the algae causes the coral to turn completely white and possibly starve to death.
The summer of 2024 was a record year for the sea surface temperature around Okinawa and its remote islands, with seawater temperatures up to 1.6 °C higher than the seasonal averages for the past 15 years. This caused an unprecedented mass coral bleaching which is still visible.
Coral Colors aims to visually interrogate the majestic beauty of coral reefs while highlighting their fragility in the face of environmental challenges. The evolving colors in the artwork reflect the sea temperature fluctuations affecting Okinawa’s coral reef during the past 124 years, with dramatic changes observed in recent years. By raising awareness of these challenges, the project emphasized the critical importance of protecting coral reefs, which have long supported Okinawa’s community by providing resources and serving as natural protection against typhoon-driven waves.
The Exhibition
The Coral Colors exhibition will open on November 29, 2024, at the OIST Tunnel Gallery. On December 7, Sputniko! will participate in a public talk at the OIST Auditorium, exploring the nexus of science, art, and technology. Soon after the event, she will officially launch Coral Colors, OIST’s first on-chain generative artwork.
The artwork will be available on ArtBlocks, a leading Ethereum-based online platform for generative art. By venturing into the realm of on-chain generative art, OIST weeks to engage new audiences, offer a unique lens to learn about science and technology, and raise funds to support research for the benefit of humanity. Proceeds from the sale of Coral Colors will directly support OIST’s scientific research programs.
We invite you to partner with OIST by donating and helping us raise awareness about coral reef preservation in Okinawa and beyond. Together, we can inspire action to protect these vital ecosystems for future generations.
For more information about this and other projects by Sputniko!, please visit:
https://sputniko.com/
To explore Coral Colors on ArtBlocks, please visit:
Link available from December 20