The Loss of Blue
Ocean Color in a Warming Sea
Climate Change and rising water temperatures promote the growth of phytoplankton, which leads to a greenish coloration of the oceans. This trend is illustrated by flowing particles that serve as a representation of chlorophyll measurements from satellite data.
| Year | 2024 |
| Material | Acrylic Sheets, Glue, Various Oils, Colored Mirror Sand, Hard foam board |
| Production/Tools | Lasercut and -engraving, Panel-Building |
| Dimension | Panels: 14 x 20 cm |
| Contact | adrian.herzig@web.de |
Motivation:
Observing the subtle yet impactful changes in ocean color inspired me to explore how climate change is transforming both marine ecosystems and our perception of them. Due to rising sea temperatures, higher growth rates of phytoplankton and algae lead to an increase in a greenish tint of the water.
Over the past few decades, this phenomenon has resulted in a noticeable color shift across more than 56% of the ocean’s surface. The Data Sculpture seeks to raise awareness of this trend by visualizing satellite imagery data.
Practices and Processes:
- Alongside visual satellite images of algal blooms, there is extensive data on changes in chlorophyll concentration in the Baltic Sea.
- The installation was then designed so that the panels are accessible from both sides. The panels are positioned loosely on an information panel that contextualizes the data sculpture and provides additional details.
- In numerous laboratory experiments, the optimal materials were identified to achieve the ideal viscosity. The size of the differently colored particles was adjusted through a milling und sieving process to ensure the correct weight. Then These particles were subsequently added into the panels according to the data ratios.
- The rectangular panels resemble the form language and aspect ratio of microscope slides. I constructed them as fillable frames in varying thicknesses to ensure optimal flow behavior of the particles.