METABOLICA (Moby Dick)

Press preview and opening: 06.10.2023, 11.00 am
Artist Tour: 19:00 pm – from 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm there will be a free shuttle connection between Museion and NOI Techpark.

Algae and bacteria will be at work here producing a new material for art based on biological processes and obtained through photosynthesis via a kilometer-long system of tubes. The entire factory is powered by a sculptural photobioreactor whose shape recalls that of a submarine or a whale. In terms of content and visuals, in his sci-fi setting, Feuerstein draws on elements as diverse as the history of whaling, the age of petrochemicals, and future scenarios involving bioeconomic resources. The artist’s investigations of new regenerative practices at the interface between art and science echo the research into energy systems, sustainable buildings & neighborhoods, and water technologies carried out at NOI, South Tyrol’s growing innovation district.

Thomas Feuerstein (*1968 in Innsbruck) interweaves art, literature and philosophy with economics, politics, digital media, biotechnology and metabolic processes to create artistic narratives. The works include spacious installations, processual sculptures, drawings, radio plays, bio- and net art. He studied art history and philosophy and received his doctorate from the University of Innsbruck in 1995. He was co-editor of the journal Medien.Kunst.Passagen and worked on research commissions on art and architecture and art in electronic space. Since 1997, Feuerstein has been a lecturer and visiting professor at universities and art colleges. His works are represented in numerous museum collections. In 2019, he was awarded the Austrian Art Prize for Media Art. Thomas Feuerstein lives in Vienna.