Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

Just like you can pimp a car to make it better or prettier, “modding” – editing and personalizing – the hard and software of a computer is also possible. Angelo Vermeulen has his own unique way of doing this with his computer: he builds mini ecosystems with them in which plants and animals thrive. The biomodd project is a creative collaboration that integrates ecology, technology and IT. Vermeulen likes to call it a “social sculpture”, because the installation is carried out by several groups in different parts of the world, always taking local conditions into account.

He developed Biomodd [ATH1] in 2007 and 2008 in The Aesthetic Technologies Lab (Athens, Ohio). The installation consists of a life-size Perspex cupboard containing an ecosystem of plants, green algae and a network of five recycled PCs. The heat generated by the PCs is used to create a warm climate, allowing plants to grow. On top of that, the green algae and the fish tanks partially absorb the heat given off by the system. Visitors are invited to play a multiplayer game on this hybrid work of art. Like this, they generate the necessary heat for the ecosystem. They can also communicate with each other through the game. In 2008, Biomodd [ATH1] was nominated for the Ars Electronica Hybrid Art Prix. The modified PC casing itself will not be exhibited at the game is up, but you will be able to check out the work from every angle in a video installation: clips from the 2008 video documentary Biomodd [ATH1]: A Living Game Computer as Social Sculpture will be projected on five big screens.

Vermeulen is currently working on the follow-up of his project in the Philippines. For Biomodd [LBA²] he takes ethnic woodwork as a starting point. He will work with non-profit organisations, students and local craftsmen in the villages of Los Baños and Paete. Among other things, they will make a wooden casing for the organic and digital components of the sculpture together. The project addresses themes such as modernisation, tradition, authenticity and symbiosis. The fusion of contemporary art, local art traditions, ecology and gaming culture is the only predetermined parameter. How this project turns out depends entirely on the communication between the project leaders and local contributors. Apart from Biomodd [LBA²] in the Philippines, two other versions are planned in Singapore and Brazil. Not only can you watch the video documentaries on Biomodd [ATH1] in the Brugzaal, you can also follow Vermeulen’s work in Los Baños day and night thanks to live streaming.

Angelo Vermeulen is an artist, filmmaker, writer, DJ, gamer and scientist. He obtained a doctorate in biology at the KULeuven and studied at the HISK in Antwerp. He is mainly known for his bio installations, experimental constructions with living cells, organisms and references to science fiction. Together with art philosopher Antoon Van den Braembussche, he recently published the book Baudelaire in Cyberspace, a collection of 10 dialogues about the relationship between art, science, and digital culture. His most recent project, Translucent Futures, focuses on the threat digital technologies represent to civil rights. For this project he is working closely with art organisations such as FoAM and [Nadine] in Brussels.

www.angelovermeulen.net