This immersive installation is about making plankton (phytoplankton and zooplankton) visible. Phytoplankton are the base of the marine food web, and provide about 50 percent of the oxygen we breathe. They are responsible for a large part of the transfer of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean. As climate change increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it increases the acidification of the ocean. As acidification impacts plankton, it impacts the entire marine ecosystem, and beyond.

Interactive components invite the public to learn about these amazing organisms, create images of plankton using reflective paper stickers, and add their images to the luminescent mural.

Venues have included Tech Interactive in San Jose, CA (2019) and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art in Santa Cruz, CA (2015 and 2018)

Michele Guieu   Sunnyvale, CA USA

Title:   Plankton, Our Invisible Foundation

Species:   Phytoplankton 
                 dinoflagellates and diatoms

               Zooplankton
                 copepods, radiolarians, isopods, jelly medusas, amphipods, cryptomonas, choaetoeros, melosira
Date:   2019
Medium:   low carbon footprint materials: paper, reflective paper, reflective paper stickers
Dimensions:   18.29 m x 6.10m (60' x 20')
Photo courtesy Andy Morris © 2019

See also:  micheleguieu.com/
              instagram.com/micheleguieu/