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Tomas Saraceno (ARG)

BIOSPHERES, 2009
- Inflatable modules, acrylic, rope, plants, water

Biospheres is the term used by Saraceno for his floating, transparent globes. Taking a metaphorical, poetic approach to serious subjects such as the overpopulation of Earth, environmental issues and migration, Saraceno attempts to create new relations between culture and nature. The biospheres of this work are inspired by careful scientific studies of e.g. the formation of clouds, soap bubbles and the geometric principles in spider webs. Several of the spheres contain plant-based ecosystems, while the largest of them invites spectators to step inside.

Saraceno is originally trained as an architect and his biospheres can be seen as models for alternative types of social spaces and habitats for human beings. In this context he is interested in the airspace (in other, outdoor projects he quite specifically works with the sky) which to him represents a “free” space; a space that is not subject to national restrictions and which still allows for the free movement across borders. Saraceno is an example of an artist who addresses the complex climate issues of the world without a nostalgic perspective; rather, he wishes to utilise the consequences of the ongoing global changes and technological developments in a positive, utopian rethinking of the way in which we have organised the world.