Science and Art in Extreme Environments: Our Place Within a Changing World
Exhibit Hall
Presenters: Megan Hanley, Artist and Assistant Professor, Pacific Northwest College of Art; Nacho de la Higuera, Research Assistant, Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Portland State University
Category: Oral Presentation
In recent years, scientific research has unveiled extraordinary networks among organisms of very different nature, from complex multicellular organisms, to single cells, to viruses. Humans are a byproduct of the evolution of all life, and increasing lines of evidence emphasize how microorganisms have contributed to shaping who we are. Cooperation is an essential evolutionary force, even in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents and volcanic hot springs. For instance, the genomic characterization of the viral diversity in an unusual hot and acidic lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park has revealed the extent of gene sharing between distantly related viruses. By studying the thriving communities of thermophilic microorganisms, we understand where the limits of life on this planet are, and realize the fragility of the human condition.
The volatile terrain, ecosystems, and organisms discovered at Lassen inspired the creation of artworks that attempt to bridge the gap between extremophiles and human culture. Microscopic imagery and scientific information were processed through an art historical lens where details about the cellular and capsid structures of extremophiles, for example, were compared to ceramic artifacts crafted for storing and trading food in the ancient world. The resulting exhibition ties together lessons learned from the study of extremophiles about the origins of life, enrichment communities, and our connection to the environment throughout history. A paradigm shift in thinking about our place in the world brought about through the intersection of science and art is necessary to counter our own anthropocentrism so we can begin to tackle the climate crisis and design societies, economic structures, and technologies with the complexity of the ecosystem in mind.