Projection Mapped Coral Sculptures with Audio

Multi-sensory installation of Beatriz Chachamovits’s handmade ceramic coral sculptures projection mapped by Natasha Tomchin and paired with soundscapes by Charles Levine

This is the first collaboration by these three Miami based artists concepted for Showfield’s new Miami location on Lincoln Road. Inspired by Beatriz’s environmental art through her coral sculptures and ocean conservation, Natasha’s projection mapping is an natural fit for a collaboration by applying her video art and code based graphics on the 3d sculptures. The pairing creates a hypnotizing visual journey as the ‘bleached’ coral goes through life cycles as the projections cascade across the installation with custom soundscapes designed by Charles to create a truly immersive experience.

“Degradation can be reversed and we can create art that aids the regeneration of the ecosystem. Life – sickness – death – life.  In a way I see artists as architects of the future, and the future I want to live in is one where we made it work”

Beatriz Chachamovits

Now more than ever in Miami, our marine eco-system is seeing the devastating effects of pollution and climate change. This is particularly dangerous as Florida is home to North America’s only barrier reef (and third largest globally) which spans from St. Lucie’s inlet all the way south passing the Dry Tortugas island. The Florida barrier reef stretches 300 miles and contains over fifty species of corals and 500 species of fish. Tragically, about 50% of the reef has died off over the last 20 years from man-made pollution, natural diseases, and overall higher water temperature.

Our goal is to create awareness by unveiling the majestic and natural art of Florida’s at-risk marine ecology and to exposes its continuous rate of degradation.  This collaboration brings to life something intangible for most audiences through sculpture, projection mapped with video art and hightened by the narratation of paired soundscapes.

Sculpture – Brazilian artist Beatriz Chachamovits work deals with the decline of the coral reef ecosystems through drawings, sculptures and installations that investigate and highlight the main causes of the state that coral reefs are found today. The phenomena known as coral bleaching, ocean acidification and plastic pollution are the main starting points in discussing the human effects in ocean conservancy. Her Carcass installation consists of hundreds of small clay sculptures of coral, sponges, animal bones and plastic debris that together form a white, dead and exposed barrier reef.

Projection Mapping – Natasha Tomchin activates Beatriz’s white sculptures by projection mapping each element with a mirade of videos of ocean life, code-generative depth tracing, and her own digital art. She’s able to map individual pieces of trash and coral to create a juxtaposition of beauty and pollution that blends together before coming back sharply into view. Creating a narrative by changing the videos and morphing details, the installation demonstrates visually the changes of our marine ecosystem.

Sound Design – Charles Levine has made a name as half of the DJ / Producer duo Soul Clap, touring the worlds festivals and night clubs for well over a decade. While music for dancefloors and the airwaves has been his primary focus an interest in ambient experimentation and how sound pairs with installtion art has been steadily growing. greenpeace sound library,

Installation opportunities:

Scalable physical installation of ceramic corals placed on sand with ceramic trash placed throughout and then activated by projection mapping and immersive sound with a subwoofer and speakers.

Projection/ video version of the physical installation paired with audio that can be displayed on screens or projected onto any surface/ wall.