Residency: Beneath The Mirror Waves

Date: March 2025

Location: Koper

Koper – The new intermedia project Beneath The Mirror Waves, created by Marko Vivoda, Luka Frelih, and Luka Murovec, offers an innovative perspective on the ecological instability of the Northern Adriatic. The residency places the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) at its center, exploring it as a sensitive indicator of marine change and a carrier of environmental material and behavioral memory.

Oysters as an Active Archive of Time

The Pacific oyster, found along our coast as a non-native species, accumulates traces of micro-environmental shifts within its body and shell—shifts that remain imperceptible to humans without technological intervention.

Using non-invasive high-frequency biosensors, the authors record the rhythm of the shells' opening and closing. These patterns reveal their physiological state and, by extension, the health of the entire marine ecosystem. "We work with oysters as living sensors and material witnesses, translating their silent rhythms into human-readable patterns that reveal hidden ecological changes," the authors explain.

The Intersection of Biology, Technology, and Art

The residency goes beyond simple data visualization, delving deep into biomaterial research. Discarded oyster shells are transformed into a new artistic medium, their texture and form condensing responses to environmental stimuli. The final installation becomes a structured space where the silent signals of marine bodies are rendered tangible for the human experience.

Scientific Contribution and Environmental Empathy

Beyond its artistic value, Beneath The Mirror Waves delivers significant scientific and educational outcomes:

• New Insights into Bivalve Behavior: The collected data provides fresh information on the relationship between organism behavior and water quality.

• Promotion of Non-Invasive Biomonitoring: The authors aim to encourage a broader application of these methods for environmental monitoring and conservation.

• Biomaterial Development: Utilizing shells as raw material paves the way for the practical use of innovative, sustainable materials.

The residency resulted in an interactive sculpture designed to educate the public on sustainable practices and the complex relationships between native species and invasive creatures, such as the blue crab. In doing so, the project not only expands scientific horizons but fosters a deeper empathy for the often-overlooked underwater world.

More information: https://starts.eu/marko-vivoda-starts4water-ii/