Through Objects

ATLANTIC FUTURES AT THE COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION PHYCOLOGIA - A DIVE AROUND THE WORLD OF ALGAE

OPENING
JULY 4
18:00 WEST
LISBON

ABOUT ATLANTIC FUTURES
With the support of Lisbon City Council, Atlantic Futures, created by in collaboration with , supports the development of design projects using biomaterials inspired by the Portuguese Atlantic Coast.

Over six months, a group of designers have access to the BioLab Lisboa laboratory and receive weekly guidance from the organizing entities.

The objects exhibited at PHYCOLOGIA are part of the project's initial experimental phase.

DESIGNERS

𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺
Coraux by Marie-José Gustave

Through 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘹, Marie-José Gustave invites us to embark on a journey of introspection and empathy inspired by the captivating beauty of Guadeloupe’s shoreline – the artist’s ancestral homeland. Amidst this natural splendor, there exists a poignant narrative of displacement and resilience – a reflection of the hardships endured by migrant ancestors and the universal plight of those fleeing conflict, economic turmoil, and persecution.
Porcelain loops, carefully inserted amidst the weaving process, serve as poignant reminders of turbulent waters of history and memory, symbolizing the enduring impact of trauma and the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.

Read about the work of (link in our bio).

Images:
Coraux by Marie-José Gustave. Photography Michael Patten

Sea shells, particularly oyster shells, become vessels for Emma’s artistic alchemy, symbolizing not just protection and abundance but also peacefulness and the power of creation.

Oyster shells exhibit many mineralogical and geochemical properties, showcasing remarkable absorbability, exchange capacity, and a reactive surface area that renders them instrumental in both environmental and industrial applications. Notably, they play a pivotal role in the dissolution of contaminants in wastewater. As Emma Witter states, ‘The global issue of copper contamination in water sources raises considerable alarm, exacerbated by certain industries, particularly in developing countries, continuing to discharge copper-rich effluents. In response to this concern, China’s National Natural Science Fund Project has undertaken a significant investigation into the potential use of oyster shells as an adsorbent for aqueous copper. This research not only underscores the environmental potential of oyster shells but also emphasizes the crucial role of sustainable solutions in addressing global challenges related to water contamination.’

𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺
Heavenly Bodies: Material Alchemy by (link in our bio).

Photography: Courtesy of Thomas Joseph Wright PenguinsEgg for Gallery FUMI