Depicting Dark Waters
Exhibition
2025 Basic Instinct: Making-With
Images
Ruud Balk
Video
thanks
The Deep Sea and Coral Group, University of Gothenburg
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)
Who knows that there are coral reefs in the deep seas of Europe? Corals are mysterious animals that can live for more than 4,000 years, are crucial to the health of entire oceans, and until now have rarely been seen by humans. In this project, the designer combines scientifically accurate, lifelike glass models with samples of real coral skeletons. In this way, she sculpturally visualizes one of Europe’s most enchanting cold-water coral species. At the same time, she gives us a glimpse of life on the dark ocean floor and encourages reflection on how we can protect them. The project was developed in collaboration with marine biologists from Sweden and the Netherlands.”
