detail of the work

The nonlinear patterns of a superorganism

The nonlinear patterns of a superorganism consists of an ant farm built with a gel that is a complete food source for the ants and was developed based on NASA’s studies of how ants can dig in microgravity.

The work addresses the entangled paths of the network structure built by the ants as a superorganism without borders or central control, whose constitution depends on the metabolic exchanges among ants and the environment.

The ant farm was produced with the consultancy of specialists in ants in order to assure their well-being and safety.

The nonlinear patterns of a superorganism, acrylic panel, wood, gel and 1.000 ants, 54 x 124 cm, detail of the work

This piece was produced and presented in the context of the Media Art Friesland 2021.

The process of ants’ digging was documented during an online residency at @translocalia, 2021.

Here and Now, Media Art Friesland, Netherlands, exhibition view, 2021
Media Art Friesland, Netherlands, exhibition view, detail of the work, 2021

Credits
Science consultant: Tobias Seidl (Westfälische Hochschule, Bocholt, Germany)
Ant farm consultant and producer: Jan-Peter Oudenampsen (Ant’s Kingdom, Netherlands)
Supported by Media Art Friesland, Leeuwarden, Netherlands