Museum of marine life 2119 (MML)
MML is a metaphorical visualization of a probable future, of the lethal effects of the Anthropocene. MML sets its stage in 2119 when marine creatures are extinct and a marine biologist decides to build a series of nostalgic chimerical specimens, in the form of a menagerie of kinetic sculptures, as a tribute to vanished life forms.
We follow the perspective of a marine biologist as he/she can only rely on intangible human recollections and no artefacts of the defunct phylum. The biologist wishes to re-recreate or re-represent what marine life used to be to educate future generations about the devastating effects of the Anthropocene. The biologist believes these machine creatures will replace the extinct marine species, serving as a vivid reminder and homage to what was lost.
Category
Storytelling | experiences | interactives
Year
2019
Materials
3D printed PLA, glassware, stainless steel hardware, readymade, electronics
Exhibitions
2021 || Ocean Flower Island Museum, China
2019 || Art Science Museum, Singapore
2019 || NTU Global Arts Exhibition, Singapore
Methodology
MML draws inspiration from the age-old tradition of oral transmission. The beginning of each specimen starts with surveys which are similar to the oral “hearsay” passed down through generations. These surveys serve as the foundational building blocks and are transformed into a reference library, forming the basis for crafting kinetic sculptures. Over 400 survey participants contributed more than 2000 descriptions for specimen recreation, describing the anatomy and behaviours of marine life in their own words.
Subsequently, creatures chosen by 20 individuals are created, narrowing the selection to only four specimens for recreation. The re-creation rules, comprising three key principles, dictate that descriptions must exclusively reference terrestrial animals, movements should align with the most frequently described actions, and the physical appearance is determined by the frequency of characteristics mentioned in the surveys.
The machine creatures in studio lighting
Materials + Movement
MML’s design objective is to convey an unmistakable sense of the unnatural, inorganic, and synthetic to its audience. This intentional mechanical aesthetic represents a juxtaposition between organic and non-organic forms, with a pronounced emphasis on accentuating man-made and engineered traits.
Every sculpture within MML is marked by a deliberate disarray, featuring disjointed body parts, absent facial features, contorted limbs, superimposed traits, and forceful additions of characteristics. Although the sculpture features draw inspiration from terrestrial animals, their assembled forms often appear bizarre and surreal.
Notably, the mechanical movements of these sculptures remain constant and unchanging, in stark contrast to living organisms, highlighting their inability to learn and grow. Through the mechanical appearances, MML intentionally cultivates an industrial and prototyping aesthetic, creating a visual contrast between organic creatures and machine sculptures, further emphasizing their divergence
Environment + Found Objects
MML’s design philosophy is aimed at evoking a sense of the artificial, showcasing the stark contrast between the organic and the inorganic. Its aesthetic deliberately embraces a mechanical appearance, highlighting engineered features over natural ones to create a sense of experimentation and discovery. This approach is manifested in sculptures that are an amalgamation of disjointed animal parts, resulting in forms that might appear bizarre or even absurd, reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster.
These sculptures, though inspired by land animals, undergo a transformation through a material emblematic of industrial production underscoring the divide between the man-made and the natural. The constant, repetitive movements of these creations further emphasize their synthetic nature, unable to adapt or evolve like living organisms. MML thus serves as a commentary on the irreplaceability of nature, using technology not just to mimic life but to highlight the limitations and ethical considerations of trying to replicate it.