Korallysis (2019)

Korallysis considers a series of artistic interventions in different points of the Mexican Caribbean in the Mesoamerican Reef. The project seeks to raise social awareness about the importance of addressing the problem of coral reefs, impacted by phenomena such as urbanization, mismanagement of waste, and climate change. Specifically, Korallysis is based on the development of hybrid organisms between mechanical systems and coral colonies that coexist in a symbiotic relationship. These mechanisms generate energy and electricity, taking advantage of marine currents. The electricity that these devices produce generates electrolysis, a phenomenon that allows minerals present in the seawater such as magnesium and calcium carbonate to adhere to ceramic structures, accelerating the coral growth in a way that favours the natural process of biomineralization of corals. The creative development process has involved students of art, engineering, biology and physics, pottery craftsmen, and civil associations such as Oceanus A.C. and Restore Coral made up of marine biologists and masters of science dedicated to reef restoration of coral in Quintana Roo. Taller30 also actively collaborates, with the cooperative formed by nine multidisciplinary artists, which Esparza is a part of.

 

 

Bio:
Born in Aguascalientes, México and currently based between San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City, Gilberto Esparza holds a BFA from The University of Guanajuato and has completed a one-year exchange at the Faculty of Fine Arts of San Carlos in Valencia, Spain. Through his work, he investigates technology as a possibility to pose questions and create solutions to humanity’s impacts on life on earth, based on a vindication of the intelligence inherent in all forms of life, and a rethinking of the relationship of human societies with the natural environment. His practice employs recycling consumer technology and experiments with biotechnology. Esparza has collaborated with research centres such as the Chemical Engineering and Processes Group of the University of Cartagena in Spain, the CINVESTAV Mechatronics Area of ​​the National Polytechnic Institute, and Engineering Institute in Juriquilla, UNAM, Digital Arts at the Guanajuato University on his projects. Esparza has had individual and group exhibitions in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, and Doha. He received the Golden Nica Award in Hybrid Art at Ars Electronica, the second VIDA 13 Award from the Fundación Telefónica de España, honourable mention at Ars Electronica, Linz Austria and the Ibero-American Production Award VIDA 09. Currently, he is a member of the National System of Art Creators.

 

 

All photos courtesy of Gilberto Esparza.