Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Shintaro Miyawaki
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Shintaro Miyawaki
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Nelo Akamatsu
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Nelo Akamatsu
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Nelo Akamatsu
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Nelo Akamatsu & Shintaro Miyawaki
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Nelo Akamatsu & Shintaro Miyawaki
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Nelo Akamatsu & Shintaro Miyawaki
Perhaps, art begins with the fireflies | Credits: Nelo Akamatsu & Shintaro Miyawaki
By using modern molecular biotechnology, genes responsible for bioluminescence were isolated from the extant fireflies, then based on their DNA sequences, the ancestral sequence was reconstructed using inferential computer calculation, and finally luciferase genes of the ancient fireflies that glow green were restored. The ancestral luciferase is mixed with luciferin and oxygen to generate ancient luminescence. This installation view of the myriad green glows in motion in the dark represents “Umwelt,” the world that might have fascinated the small feathered dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period.
In the fore-room of the dark installation space, molecular models of luciferin and luciferase, CT scan images of fireflies, research papers on firefly bioluminescence, pinned specimens, old lithographs, ukiyoe prints and picture books depicting fireflies, and a narrative poem describing the “Umwelt” of feathered dinosaurs are displayed to support the installation from the perspective of knowledge of science and culture inspired by fireflies.
Deleuze & Guattari wrote in their book *Quʼest ce que la philosophie?* that “Perhaps, art begins with the animal.” They also said that Scenopoeetes dentirostris, a bird of the Australian rain forests, cuts leaves, makes them fall to the ground to construct a stage, and sings a complex song—itʼs a complete artist. From their thought, developed with reference to Darwin and Uexküll, I considered that the surplus of the sexual instinct in animals, born out of the chaos of the universe, became the origin of art. Not only birds and fish but also insects engage in courtship behavior. In the case of fireflies, it appears as their blinking glow. The “Ritornello” (refrain) of light takes place in the wondrous spectacle of their courtship behaviors. The “Ritornello” brings harmony to nature. In search of the origin of art, the flickering green glows of fireflies 100 million years ago have been reproduced as an art installation in the dark exhibition space.
On display in Tokyo during the Ars Electronica Festival 2023:
Typhoons
30 August - 30 September 2023
By using modern molecular biotechnology, genes responsible for bioluminescence were isolated from the extant fireflies, then based on their DNA sequences, the ancestral sequence was reconstructed using inferential computer calculation, and finally luciferase genes of the ancient fireflies that glow green were restored. The ancestral luciferase is mixed with luciferin and oxygen to generate ancient luminescence. This installation view of the myriad green glows in motion in the dark represents “Umwelt,” the world that might have fascinated the small feathered dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period.
In the fore-room of the dark installation space, molecular models of luciferin and luciferase, CT scan images of fireflies, research papers on firefly bioluminescence, pinned specimens, old lithographs, ukiyoe prints and picture books depicting fireflies, and a narrative poem describing the “Umwelt” of feathered dinosaurs are displayed to support the installation from the perspective of knowledge of science and culture inspired by fireflies.
Deleuze & Guattari wrote in their book *Quʼest ce que la philosophie?* that “Perhaps, art begins with the animal.” They also said that Scenopoeetes dentirostris, a bird of the Australian rain forests, cuts leaves, makes them fall to the ground to construct a stage, and sings a complex song—itʼs a complete artist. From their thought, developed with reference to Darwin and Uexküll, I considered that the surplus of the sexual instinct in animals, born out of the chaos of the universe, became the origin of art. Not only birds and fish but also insects engage in courtship behavior. In the case of fireflies, it appears as their blinking glow. The “Ritornello” (refrain) of light takes place in the wondrous spectacle of their courtship behaviors. The “Ritornello” brings harmony to nature. In search of the origin of art, the flickering green glows of fireflies 100 million years ago have been reproduced as an art installation in the dark exhibition space.
On display in Tokyo during the Ars Electronica Festival 2023:
Typhoons
30 August - 30 September 2023
Mizuma Art Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Artwork production: Nelo Akamatsu:
Academic research: Professor Dr. Yuichi Oba
Chubu University Department of Environmental Biology Luminous Organisms Lab researches especially into the luminous substance of the firefly. The lab produced restored luciferase with biotechnology, and provided this actual substance for the installation. The collaboration may develop successively into the artistic research of other luminous organisms.
Yuji Makino of Takamatsu Art Museum curated the exhibition in October 2022.
Nelo Akamatsu (JP) has an MFA in Inter-media Art of Tokyo University of the Arts. He creates artworks across several media such as installations with electric devices, event installations, video installations, sculptures, paintings, and photos. His sound installation titled CHIJIKINKUTSU won the Golden Nica in the Digital Musics & Sound Art category of Prix Ars Electronica 2015. He exhibits at Mizuma Art Gallery in Tokyo. Yuichi Oba (JP) received his PhD in Molecular Biomechanics from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan (1996). Since 2019, he is a Professor at Chubu University and Head PI of Luminous Organisms Lab in Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu Univ, where his group investigated all aspects of bioluminescent organisms.
Nelo Akamatsu (JP) has an MFA in Inter-media Art of Tokyo University of the Arts. He creates artworks across several media such as installations with electric devices, event installations, video installations, sculptures, paintings, and photos. His sound installation titled CHIJIKINKUTSU won the Golden Nica in the Digital Musics & Sound Art category of Prix Ars Electronica 2015. He exhibits at Mizuma Art Gallery in Tokyo. Yuichi Oba (JP) received his PhD in Molecular Biomechanics from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan (1996). Since 2019, he is a Professor at Chubu University and Head PI of Luminous Organisms Lab in Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu Univ, where his group investigated all aspects of bioluminescent organisms.