Symbiotic Machine

The Glazen Huis, March 09– April 27 2014
Opening Sunday, March 9, 3 – 5 PM

In collaboration with scientists from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Ivan Henriques has developed a prototype of an autonomous photosynthetic bio-machine that harvests solar energy from photosynthetic organisms. This energy is converted into a movement to be able to collect photosynthetic organisms again. This bio-machine, consisting of a floating and moving robotic structure, creates a symbiotic system with its environment. This bio-solar machine will create a symbiotic system with the environment where it is located, which detects, collects, carries and processes these organisms autonomously, amplifying the energy obtained from them using a floating mobile robotic structure. These micro-organisms can be found in ponds, canals, rivers and the sea, all of which are potential sources of food for the Symbiotic Machine. For example, when there is a harmful algae bloom in the environment, the machine cleans it by collecting these photosynthetic organisms.

For two months, the Symbiotic Machine lives in an aquarium in the Glazen Huis, where it feeds on algae. Research materials, objects, texts and drawings will be on display in the rear space. In addition, we will organise a workshopwith the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Ivan Henriquesen, and a lecture with Ivan Henriques, Raoul Frese and Vincent Friebe.

Symbiotic Machine is developed in collaboration with Raoul Frese and Vincent Friebe scientists of VU Amsterdam Laser Lab, physicist Michiel van Overbeek and engineer Leydervan Xavier from Cefet/RJ (Technological School from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

About the artist
Ivan Henriques is a transdisciplinary artist and researcher working in multimedia installations examining different perceptions of time, memory and environment. He explores in his works hybrids of nature and (technological) culture creating new forms of communication between humans and other living organisms. He considers nature as inspiration and a necessary factor in the development of the technological world (www.ivanhenriques.com)

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This project is supported by Stichting DOEN.