GMU:Hallucinating computers and dreaming non-machines/Negin Ehtesabian

Feel Water

This project celebrates water as a magical and vital presence that coexists with us—sustaining life while holding the power to destroy; It explores the essential yet often overlooked relationship that all living beings share with water, a dependency frequently taken for granted through waste, pollution and misuse. The work reflects on society's tendency to underestimate and neglect this profound connection, and brings its magic to the light.

*The project consists of an installation, and a series of drawings with related photos/videos.

1. See Water: The installation peers into water through a microscopic lens, highlighting the enchanting world of the invisible algae Chlamydomonas and its interactive relationship with light. These unicellular beings eat light, and live on light and it is so inspiring to me, want to share their invisible existence with more people.
2. Wear Water: The drawings evoke the fluid emotional qualities of water, depicting water as a cape- an intimate, enveloping presence to embrace; a relationship we cannot live without!

Background information

The installation idea comes from last semester, with the project “Luminescent Dance: The Algae Light Spectrum” (Life In An Aquatic Ecosystem: Mindaugas Gapševičius & Alessandro Volpato)

The project also incorporates research conducted at an artificial pond on the university campus, alongside observations of algae’s behavior in a natural setting (the pond in Ilm Park, Weimar, Thuringia)

Idea/Concept

The installation features several parallel plates made of delicate calque paper or sheer fabric moving and overlapping consistent with the light strength. These panels, or free form fabrics display drawn designs of Chlamydomonas, which can project density change by moving the panels through external threads, to be interactive or automatic. The lighting creates a watery ambiance, and ideally, it would be companied with some nature sounds. Incorporating sound could enhance the sensory experience of the installation.

The performance concept is to consider water as a cohabitant: feel it, wear it, live in it. Through video, photography, and drawings, it offers a free interpretation of our relationship with water.

Free Sketches

PBoldhotography of the drawing of water and Chlamydomonas on a sheer fabric

Drawing Water, from the sketchbook-no.1

Drawing Water 2

Wearing Water, sketch photo 1

Wearing water, sketch photo 2

Inspirations/ Presentations