In collaboration with Mark Eckstrand (glass), Mindaugas Miselis, Felix Bonowski (electronics), Outi Wahlroos, Alessandro Volpato (experiments)

An installation Love Letters to My Fellow Human narrates the profound impact of global warming and ecological degradation on our planet. At the heart of this project lies the figure of the artificial jellyfish, a poignant symbol of both the beauty and fragility of the oceans, crafted from plastic and electronic components. Through a series of participatory events and experiments, the project seeks to provoke critical reflection on the changing natural environment, the implications of uncontrolled technological intervention, and the coexistence of humans, robots, and non-human species.

The installation consists of a series of interconnected artworks, including plastic objects, glass objects, videos, sketches, manuals, a rainwater garden, and facilities for work. The elements of the installation are selected based on the specific context, with some components omitted as appropriate. In the introduction video, Puddle Garden, Artificial Jellyfish and Cascade Garden are featured at the Centre for Non-Machines Research in Athens.

Artificial Jellyfish is a series of objects designed to drift in the water or sit elsewhere on the ground. The chosen design reminds us of plastic contaminants in our environments. While drifting in waters or sitting elsewhere on the ground, the jellyfish narrates the profound impact of global warming and ecological degradation on our planet. By harnessing the power of solar cells, these artificial jellyfish continuously capture photos or sense other environmental parameters in real-time, offering viewers a glimpse into the beauty and vulnerability of our planet.

The project draws inspiration from a diverse array of sources, including the evocative narratives found in messages enclosed within bottles washed ashore, as well as historical precedents such as the “LoveLetters” program developed by software engineer Christofer Stanchey. Furthermore, the artificial jellyfish references the potential of ecological robots – so called drifters in oceanography – to facilitate scientific inquiry and deepen our understanding of marine dynamics.

Artworks

Artificial Jellyfish
I Am an Aquatic Ecosystem
Cascade Garden
Puddle Garden
Plant Containers
Centre for Non-Machines Research
Life in an Aquatic Ecosystem: The Pond

Experiments

Artworks are presented alongside scientific experiments to analyze environments and their transformations influenced by various factors, such as fertilizers, temperature, and mycelia.

Experiment #1
Experiment #2
Experiment #3
Experiment #4

Related Media

Artificial Jellyfish to capture turbidity of the water (left) and underwater photos (right). Photo: Martin Wrede
Underwater photo. Photo: Artificial Jellyfish
Underwater photo. Photo: Artificial Jellyfish
Cascade Garden. Photo: Paula Muhr
Cascade Garden. Photo: Paula Muhr
Puddle Garden. Photo: Ingmar Riswick
Puddle Garden. Photo: Ingmar Riswick
The Pond. Photo: Mindaugas Gapševičius
The Pond. Photo: Mindaugas Gapševičius
Installation view. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Puddle Garden. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Puddle Garden. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Puddle Garden. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Cascade Garden. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Mindaugas Gapševičius
Cascade Garden (detail) in combination with Artificial Jellyfish. Photo: Martin Wrede
Cascade Garden (detail) in combination with Artificial Jellyfish. Photo: Martin Wrede
Plant Containers. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Plant Containers. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Puddle Garden (detail) in combination with Artificial Jellyfish. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Puddle Garden (detail). Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Puddle Garden (detail) in combination with Artificial Jellyfish. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Martin Wrede
Puddle Garden (detail) in combination with Artificial Jellyfish. Open Studios Tempelhof 2024. Photo: Mindaugas Gapševičius
Artificial Jellyfish to capture turbidity of the water (left) and underwater photos (right). Reverse side. Photo: Martin Wrede
Underwater images by Artificial Jellyfish. Photo: Martin Wrede
Underwater images by Artificial Jellyfish. Photo: Martin Wrede