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Robertina Šebjanič
Biography
Robertina Šebjanič, based in Ljubljana, is an internationally awarded artist, whose work revolves around the biological, chemical, political and cultural realities of aquatic environments and explores humankind’s impact on other species and on the rights of non-human entities, while calling for strategies emphatic towards other species to be adopted. In her analysis of the theoretical framework of the Anthropocene, the artist uses the term ‘aquatocene’ and ‘aquaforming’ to refer to humans’ impact on aquatic environments.
Her art – research focus is since several years oriented towards the project developed in the field of Living systems (bio-art), AV performances, noise/sound art, installations and interactive ambiental responsive immersive environments.
The context for her ideas and concepts is often realized in collaboration with other authors (artists, scientists, humanists, makers, hackers…), and through interdisciplinary and informal integration embodied in her work.
She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana (SI),Famul Stuart School of Applied Arts in Ljubljana (SI) as well as at the Valand School of Fine Arts in Gothenburg (SE).
Aquatocene / Subaquatic Quest for Serenity
Audiovisual performance, since 2016
Aquatocene / Subaquatic Quest for Serenity investigates the phenomenon of underwater noise pollution created by humankind in the seas and oceans. The sound compositions are a re-mix between the bioacoustics of marine life (shrimps, fish, sea urchins etc.), the aquatic acoustics and the presence of human generated noise in the world’s oceans and seas.
Over the last few years, Robertina has made a number of recordings using hydrophones in different locations around the globe. Underwater noise affects a great number of marine life forms which depend on the sub-aquatic sonic environment to survive.
The audio compositions of the underwater soundscape encourage us to reflect on the impact of anthropogenic sound on the habitat of underwater and marine life, and to enlighten our consciousness and emphasize the importance of maintaining safe sound environments for living animals in the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers of the world.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 23, 2:30 PM: PUBLIC DISCUSSION
AROUND AQUATOCENE AND UNDERWATER POLLUTION RELATED TO HUMAN ACTIVITY
Scientific researchers Delphine Thibault, Thierry Perez and Christian Tamburini are invited for a public discussion following the performance of Robertina Šebjanič.
Delphine Thibault, MCF AMU, I am an oceanographer biologist, specialized in zooplankton and especially gelatinous organisms. I am interested in the biodiversity and the spatial and temporal distribution of zooplankton in different regions of the world. Another part of my research focuses on invasive species and their role in the functioning of coastal ecosystems. The physiology of crustacean and gelatinous zooplankton is also an important axis of research to better understand the dynamics of their population and their position in pelagic trophic networks.
Christian Tamburini DR CNRS. A microbial oceanographer, I am interested in the interaction of micro-organisms / organic matter by seeking to group measurements of in-situ activities, diversity, and biogeochemistry to better understand the biological pump of carbon, in particular in meso- and bathypelagic zones. The development of hyperbaric instrumentation allows us to take samples and measurements in in-situ conditions. In recent years, we have also sought to establish a link between bioluminescence and the carbon cycle. Concerning the component of bioluminescence, an application component is currently being developed in connection with architecture, art, and scientific mediation.
Thierry Perez. As a marine ecologist, my research is fundamentally naturalistic and interdisciplinary. A specialist in sponges, I regularly describe new taxa to science, carry out biodiverse inventories, by exploring underwater caves in particular, and study all facets of the sponge’s biology and ecology.
My interdisciplinarity is plural, having started my career with environmental chemistry, before moving on to the chemistry of natural products and metabolomics to deal today with questions of marine chemical ecology, or even with environmental history, in order to measure the long-term effects of global change on marine biodiversity.
Program realized to the invaluable help of Thierry Botti – Observatory of Sciences of the Universe Institut Pythéas (CNRS – IRD – Aix-Marseille University).
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