Microfluidic Chips: Post-Nonhuman Butterfly Feeder
2018
Butterfly and Moth Specimen, PDMS, Plexiglass, Tygon Tubing, Modified, Dosing Pump
Fluids: Turmeric, Beet Powder and Hibiscus, Spirulina, Chlorophyll, Deionized Water
With the advancement of microfluidic devices, a technique, and science in which micro infrastructures mimic macro-environments. Comes the technocratic vision for biological displacement into new techno-industrial ecosystems. Microchannels are molded (3d printed) and cast out of PDMS; through these pathways, fluids are injected into and evacuated. The butterfly specimens are transplanted onto these mechanical feeding devices. Becoming a truly “what-if” statement on the state of scientific ambition and a critique of man’s never-ending quest to conquer and at the same time preserve nature.
At the core of the installation are microchannels made from PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), a flexible and transparent material. These intricate pathways, molded using 3D printing techniques, serve as the conduit for a variety of fluids. Injected and evacuated through the microchannels, these fluids include turmeric, beet powder and hibiscus extracts, spirulina, chlorophyll, and deionized water.
Transplanted onto these mechanical feeding devices, butterfly and moth specimens find themselves in a post-nonhuman state. The delicate creatures become subjects in this "what-if" scenario, questioning the limits of scientific ambition and serving as a critique of mankind's relentless pursuit to conquer and preserve nature simultaneously.
"Microfluidic Chips: Post-Nonhuman Butterfly Feeder" challenges viewers to contemplate the consequences of manipulating and controlling living organisms within the context of technological advancements. It raises questions about our responsibility as custodians of the natural world and the potential implications of our relentless pursuit of scientific progress.
This artwork serves as a metaphorical exploration of the delicate balance between scientific ambition, preservation, and the ethical considerations surrounding the intersection of humans and nature. Through the integration of microfluidic devices, the artist prompts viewers to reflect on the complex relationship between technological innovation, the preservation of biodiversity, and our role as stewards of the environment.
