Interactive Sound Sculpture, 2018-2019
SILENCING THE VIRUS is an immersive Sci Art installation that mixes a virtual virus environment with performance, science, ecology and digital arts. It has two key objectives. One to raise awareness of the decline in global honeybee populations and the impact on human societies. Two to examine the intricate social systems of the honeybee; how the hive works as a collective to repel aggressors, specifically viruses, and what can be learnt from their social immunity mechanisms.
One of the major causes of the decline in honeybee populations is disease. This includes the Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV): an RNA virus that leaves honeybees paralysed and that can result in the death of entire colonies.
Drawing on research by molecular scientist Dr Maori (Cambridge University), SILENCING THE VIRUS mimics the spread of IAPV via an interactive sound installation or collective listening experience: an LED visualisation of a digital honeycomb and music composition both infected with a converted sample of the virus’ genome. As participants orbit and infect the virtual hive, it becomes apparent that only by working as a collective, akin to the honey bees, will they be able to SILENCE THE VIRUS.
SILENCING THE VIRUS has been devised and led by digital artist Lily Hunter Green, in collaboration with violinist Tom Moore, molecular biologists Dr Eyal Maori and Dr Luigi Aloia (University of Cambridge), computer scientist Karun Matharu, and documentary filmmaker Zoe Coldham.
It forms part of Lily Hunter Green’s ongoing multi-dimensional Sci-Art project: BEECOMPOSED LIVE (2014-2021): an interdisciplinary creative hive mind collaboration which brings artists, musician, coders, and scientists together to raise awareness of the threats to honeybees globally, and with that, the impact on human communities.
This project was funded by Arts Council England, and supported by Birkbeck College (London), Chelmsford City Council, Essex Book Festival, The Gurdon Institute (University of Cambridge)
‘Silencing the Virus’ has received a Nomination for the S+T+ARTS PRIZE 2021:
