Description
Biaani’ Chitidxe’ means communicate light in mazatec, a language spoken in the state of Oaxaca. The Manialtepec lagoon is located on the coast of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It is a mangrove system with connection to the sea in which the phenomena of bioluminescence occurs due to the presence of dinoflagellates. This has made the place very famous and the communities that live around the lagoon live off the tourism that goes to witness this phenomenon. This is a participative work of art that consists of different approaches to the ecosystem of the Manialtepec lagoon with the communities that live around it. It implied the implementation of new media art strategies for the awareness of the communities and for the construction of their identity as a people of bioluminescence. The main objective of this project was to help the inhabitants of the communities to set up a biohacking laboratory in the lagoon so that they could carry out the Aliivibrio fischeri bacteria extraction protocol, as well as consolidate a biohacking protocol for the extraction of dinoflagellates. This is a participatory work that consists of creating a craft workshop for the production of bioproduced light together with the local communities. Two chandeliers were created that illuminated a presentation event with all the people involved in the production of this light. This work was commissioned by the Casa Wabi Foundation.
