Algaculture
Near future algaculture symbiosis suit

Algaculture, 2010

Keywords: after agriculture, alternative ways to fuel the body, human algae symbiosis, altered food system, exhibition

Alternative ways to fuel the body
Algaculture designs a new symbiotic relationship between humans and algae. It proposes a future where humans will be enhanced with algae living inside new bodily organs, allowing us to be semi-photosynthetic. Almost enabling us to become plant-like by gaining food from light. As such, we will be symbionts (meaning that both entities entirely depend on each other for survival), entering into a mutually beneficial relationship with the algae.

Algaculture


Why design new food on what we have now, when we could re-design how we fuel the body altogether?

Far future new bodily organs
This scenario is, among other sources, inspired by the work of scientists Debora MacKenzie and Michael Le Page who wrote about photosynthetic creatures, or what they call “plantimals” in the New Scientist (2010). Such photosynthetic organisms currently include lichen, sea slugs and salamanders that welcome algae into their bodies, in a partnership called endosymbiosis.


 

 

 

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Take home

Algae Opera
Programme:
The Algae Opera

£10.00

AlgacultureBook:
After You

$5.99

 

 

 

Current and upcoming shows

28 May 2019 - May 2024
Vienna Biennale For Change: Brave New Virtues, MAK, Vienna, Austria


June 2020 - January 2022
LWL Museum of Natural History, Munster, Germany

 

See also

 

Acknowledgements

Algaculture by Burton Nitta (Michael Burton and Michiko Nitta)

In collaboration with

Noah Young: Performer

 

Supported by

 

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