Empathy Box
2018
Solo Exhibition at 37PK, Groot Heiligland 37 in Haarlem, NL in conjunction with the residency program Future Past / Nature City hosted by Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen.
The exhibition follows a two-month Summer residency at both institutions. Visual artist Mika Rosenberg stayed at Fort bij Vijfhuizen and worked in a studio in historic Haarlem. Starting point was the genre of science fiction, fitting the Kunstfort program and as a metaphorical connection between future and past, heritage and artificiality. Rosenberg brings together her ongoing research in an alienating scenography: an aquarium of algae and bacteria, an arrangement of plant species found in Haarlemmermeer, a cage with disguising caterpillars, and a live stream from Kunstfort’s surveillance cameras. The installation is reminiscent of a scientific presentation,but gives no answers.
Text by Curator Zippora Elders
2018
Solo Exhibition at 37PK, Groot Heiligland 37 in Haarlem, NL in conjunction with the residency program Future Past / Nature City hosted by Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen.
The exhibition follows a two-month Summer residency at both institutions. Visual artist Mika Rosenberg stayed at Fort bij Vijfhuizen and worked in a studio in historic Haarlem. Starting point was the genre of science fiction, fitting the Kunstfort program and as a metaphorical connection between future and past, heritage and artificiality. Rosenberg brings together her ongoing research in an alienating scenography: an aquarium of algae and bacteria, an arrangement of plant species found in Haarlemmermeer, a cage with disguising caterpillars, and a live stream from Kunstfort’s surveillance cameras. The installation is reminiscent of a scientific presentation,but gives no answers.
Text by Curator Zippora Elders
Butterfly Viewing Experience : Are you my Angel?
2018
300 x 300 x 250 cm
Mosquito Net, planted Kale, Metamorphesizing Cabbage white caterpillars and butterflies- consumers of cabbage and foe to farmers and gardeners.
In the thought-provoking installation titled "Butterfly Viewing Experience: Are You My Angel?" the artist invites spectators into an immersive encounter with the delicate beauty of nature and the intricate relationship between humans and insects, this captivating artwork combines various elements to create a multisensory experience.
A prominent feature of the installation is the implementation of mosquito netting, which envelops the space, creating a sense of intimacy and protection. Within this sanctuary, the artist has carefully cultivated a habitat for the metamorphosing Cabbage white caterpillars and butterflies. These creatures, often seen as foes to farmers and gardeners due to their consumption of cabbage, take center stage in this artistic exploration.
As viewers step inside, they find themselves immersed in a world where the boundaries between human and insect, predator and prey, begin to blur. The presence of the butterflies, with their graceful flight and intricate patterns, sparks contemplation on the interconnectedness of all living beings and the delicate balance of ecosystems.
"Are You My Angel?" poses a question that lingers in the air, prompting viewers to reflect upon their role in the natural world and the potential for symbiotic relationships between humans and seemingly disruptive creatures. Through this unique butterfly viewing experience, the artist invites us to appreciate the fragile beauty of nature and consider the profound connections that exist beyond the surface of our daily lives.
2018
300 x 300 x 250 cm
Mosquito Net, planted Kale, Metamorphesizing Cabbage white caterpillars and butterflies- consumers of cabbage and foe to farmers and gardeners.
In the thought-provoking installation titled "Butterfly Viewing Experience: Are You My Angel?" the artist invites spectators into an immersive encounter with the delicate beauty of nature and the intricate relationship between humans and insects, this captivating artwork combines various elements to create a multisensory experience.
A prominent feature of the installation is the implementation of mosquito netting, which envelops the space, creating a sense of intimacy and protection. Within this sanctuary, the artist has carefully cultivated a habitat for the metamorphosing Cabbage white caterpillars and butterflies. These creatures, often seen as foes to farmers and gardeners due to their consumption of cabbage, take center stage in this artistic exploration.
As viewers step inside, they find themselves immersed in a world where the boundaries between human and insect, predator and prey, begin to blur. The presence of the butterflies, with their graceful flight and intricate patterns, sparks contemplation on the interconnectedness of all living beings and the delicate balance of ecosystems.
"Are You My Angel?" poses a question that lingers in the air, prompting viewers to reflect upon their role in the natural world and the potential for symbiotic relationships between humans and seemingly disruptive creatures. Through this unique butterfly viewing experience, the artist invites us to appreciate the fragile beauty of nature and consider the profound connections that exist beyond the surface of our daily lives.
Rosen Association
2018
Active Spirulina, Microfluidics, Butterfly specimens
In the enigmatic artwork titled "Rosen Association," the artist delves into the intersection of organic life, technology, and the transience of existence. Created in 2018, this captivating piece combines living organisms, intricate scientific processes, and preserved butterfly specimens to provoke contemplation on the fragility and interconnectedness of natural and artificial realms.
At the core of the installation, active Spirulina, a microorganism renowned for its vibrant green hue and nutritional value, takes center stage. Enclosed within a carefully crafted microfluidic system, the Spirulina thrives, representing the resilience of life in even the most controlled environments.
Surrounding the Spirulina, an array of preserved butterfly specimens adds a surreal dimension to the artwork. These delicate creatures, once alive and fluttering, now serve as poignant reminders of the ephemeral nature of existence and the beauty that transpires within a fleeting moment.
"Rosen Association" invites viewers to contemplate the intricate relationships between the natural and artificial, the living and preserved, and the impermanence of life. The artwork serves as a metaphorical exploration of the delicate balance between human intervention and the inherent resilience of the natural world.
Through this juxtaposition of living microorganisms, scientific processes, and preserved specimens, the artist raises questions about our place in the intricate web of life and our responsibility as stewards of the environment. "Rosen Association" is an immersive experience that challenges our perceptions of life, technology, and the interplay between the organic and the manufactured.
2018
Active Spirulina, Microfluidics, Butterfly specimens
In the enigmatic artwork titled "Rosen Association," the artist delves into the intersection of organic life, technology, and the transience of existence. Created in 2018, this captivating piece combines living organisms, intricate scientific processes, and preserved butterfly specimens to provoke contemplation on the fragility and interconnectedness of natural and artificial realms.
At the core of the installation, active Spirulina, a microorganism renowned for its vibrant green hue and nutritional value, takes center stage. Enclosed within a carefully crafted microfluidic system, the Spirulina thrives, representing the resilience of life in even the most controlled environments.
Surrounding the Spirulina, an array of preserved butterfly specimens adds a surreal dimension to the artwork. These delicate creatures, once alive and fluttering, now serve as poignant reminders of the ephemeral nature of existence and the beauty that transpires within a fleeting moment.
"Rosen Association" invites viewers to contemplate the intricate relationships between the natural and artificial, the living and preserved, and the impermanence of life. The artwork serves as a metaphorical exploration of the delicate balance between human intervention and the inherent resilience of the natural world.
Through this juxtaposition of living microorganisms, scientific processes, and preserved specimens, the artist raises questions about our place in the intricate web of life and our responsibility as stewards of the environment. "Rosen Association" is an immersive experience that challenges our perceptions of life, technology, and the interplay between the organic and the manufactured.
Scum Fun
2018
260 x 160 x 65 cm
Swimming Pool filled with active Spirulina, Artificial Lily Pads
In the intriguing artwork titled "Scum Fun," the artist delves into the unconventional beauty found within unexpected places, challenging traditional perceptions of aesthetics. Created in 2018, inspired by the summer signifiers of suburban life in the Netherlands, (plastic swimming pool and water-ways covered in Blue Green Algea) this thought-provoking piece invites viewers to explore the concept of beauty by juxtaposing the organic and the artificial in a unique and captivating manner.
The centerpiece of the installation is a large swimming pool filled with an unusual substance—active Spirulina. This blue-green microalgae, known for its nutritional properties, spreads across the pool's surface, creating a layer of vibrant scum that defies conventional notions of beauty.
Artificial lily pads float atop the Spirulina, adding a touch of the synthetic to the organic composition. These manufactured elements introduce a subtle tension within the artwork, raising questions about the authenticity of beauty and the juxtaposition of natural and artificial elements in our modern world.
"Scum Fun" challenges viewers to reconsider their preconceived notions of what is visually appealing and invites them to find beauty in the unconventional. By highlighting the inherent aesthetic qualities of unexpected materials, the artist encourages a shift in perspective and invites contemplation on the transformative power of art.
This immersive installation prompts reflection on the delicate balance between human intervention and nature's innate ability to create captivating compositions. "Scum Fun" serves as a reminder that beauty can be found in the unlikeliest of places and encourages viewers to reevaluate their perceptions of the world around them.
Nature Acess Control
2018
baustellenüberwachung system livestreaming into the Gallery
In the thought-provoking artwork titled "Nature Access Control," the artist delves into the complex dynamics between surveillance, nature, and societal control. Created in 2018 as a temporary installation in collaboration with the exhibition "Empathy Box" at 37PK, Haarlem, this work explores the intersection of technology, surveillance, and the natural world.
At the core of the installation is a baustellenüberwachung system, a construction site monitoring system that provides real-time surveillance. This system is live-streaming the imagery into the gallery space, creating a virtual connection between Vijfhuizen and Haarlem. It draws a symbolic line between the two locations through the transmission of live images, bridging the gap between urban and natural landscapes.
As night falls, the Empathy Box emits a distinctive green glow, enveloping the fort's surroundings and diffusing the landscape. This luminous presence adds an eerie and disorienting atmosphere, further emphasizing the themes of control and surveillance within the artwork.
"Nature Access Control" challenges viewers to confront the Orwellian notion of monitoring and manipulating nature, while also questioning the ways in which surveillance and commerce intersect. By employing surveillance technology within the context of the natural world, the artist prompts reflection on the boundaries of privacy, the impact of human intervention on ecosystems, and the potential for subversive control through commercial and industrial channels.
This artwork serves as a catalyst for contemplation and dialogue about the delicate balance between human agency and the intrinsic autonomy of nature. It encourages viewers to question their relationship with technology, the ethics of surveillance, and the implications of societal control over the environment. "Nature Access Control" is a multi-layered exploration that invites critical examination of the complex dynamics shaping our modern world.
