Aqua_forensic is an international hybrid science+art program that encompasses:   science+art research/residency program,  art project production, exhibition tour.
The program focuses on exploring invisible anthropogenic pollutants – residues of human pharmaceutical consumption and their effect on aquatic microorganism (protozoa, unicellular algae and cyanobacteria) and their impact on ecosystem.

Through research and dissemination of the results in art as well as science form the goal was to make visible these invisible pollutants, boost public awareness and open the dialog on developing solutions for combating these pollutants.

RESEARCH PHASE:

Project aqua_forensic – research & development phase – had a strong backbone of the hands on research, that combines art with high end science and citizen science approach to collect & process information on upstream of invisible anthropogenic pollutants. These invisible chemical pollutants  – residues of human pharmaceutical consumptions are discharged in most of our aquatic environments of fresh and salt waters.

Aqua_forensic in 2018 focused the research on specific localities in  Europe- Donau river in Linz, Austria,  and different localities in Adriatic sea in Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik-Neretva county. The goal was to map, explore and correlate pollution in these localities.

In 2018, research was conducted of Danube river in Linz,AT @ Ars Electronica Center BioLab,  and Adriatic sea in Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik-Neretva county,HR @ UR Institute.

During the research residency the authors (Robertina Šebjanič & Gjino Šutić)  started by developing underwater robotic probe for sample collection and exploration (in Linz,AT), collecting water samples (in Danube river and Adriatic sea),   analysing them for pharmaceutical presence (in UR Institute Dubrovnik) , and finally testing the effect of the most consumed pharmaceuticals (in nanoscale concentrations) on microorganisms found in water habitats – protozoa, unicellular aglae and cynobacteria (in UR Institute Dubrovnik).
Upon research, data was validated and processed.
Research has produced two scientific articles (publication pending), and visual data was used to produce art installation.

ART PRODUCTION PHASE:

Upon research, visual data (research artefacts) were used to produce an interactive new media art installation – morphing spacial sculpture – the piping system that encompasses look into open pipe windows displaying holographic videos of effect of pharmaceuticals on protozoa.

Production of the installation took place in Projekt Atol Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

EXHIBITION TOUR PHASE:

Art installation / projects results where exhibited at Ars Electronica Festival (Linz,AT, 9/2018),
Rencontres Bandits Mages festival (Bourges,FR, 11/2018),
TTT2018 conference at UNAM university (Mexico,MX, 11/2018),
Ars Electronica export at DRIVE Volkswagen gallery (Berlin,DE, 11/2018),
World without us exhibition by IMPAKT (Utrecht,NL, 11/2018).

Exhibitions/presentations/workshops so far!

PRESS on aqua_forensic!

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Funding and support:

The whole program was supported by:
UR Institute (HR),
Ars Electronica (AT) & EMAP/EMARE network and related EU (Creative Europe) co-funding
Projekt Atol Institute (SI),
Sektor Institute (SI)

Various phases of the projects where also supported by: 
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia,
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia,
Čistoća Dubrovnik

Exhibitions where produced and financed by various partners including:
Ars Electronica (AT), UNAM university Mexico (MX), Bandits Mages (FR), Kontejner (HR),  IMPAKT (NL), Volkswagen DRIVE gallery (DE)

Program is made in co-autorship by:
Robertina Šebjanič & Gjino Šutić