Radboud University
Into Thin Air ✺ An open air laboratory making the invisible visible
Into Thin Air is an educational & science-based installation that brings to life the unseen micro organisms that we’re all surrounded by on a daily base.
— CHALLENGE
The Hiddden Life of The Air We Breath
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic brought a new awareness about the air we breathe. Radboud University and Schemerlicht, recognizing this pivotal moment, presented us with a significant challenge: to make the invisible world of air-borne microorganisms visible. Our challenge was to develop an experience that would not only highlight the presence of these trillions of microscopic beings but also underscore their profound impact on our health and the environment.
— SOLUTION
Making The Invisible Visible
How to 'catch' air. This became our obsession when thinking of a solution for this project. Our answer to this extraordinary challenge was the conceptualisation and creation of 'Into Thin Air' – an open-air laboratory designed as a monumental sculpture comprising a breathtaking arrangement of 3,500 petri dishes suspended within an 800kg steel frame measuring 4m x 3m x 4m. The entire structure was meticulously handcrafted by the artists, with each and every petri dish (those small, shallow dishes scientists use in labs) being carefully hung by hand. With this open-air laboratory, we were able to capture and display the invisible microbiome surrounding us in both a scientific and visually engaging way.
3.500
Into Thin Air uses 3.500 petri dishes to capture air microbes
10K
With every breath you intake about 10.000 bacteria
99%
99% of the air is made out of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon
“Imagine a world filled with trillions of tiny beings, invisible to the naked eye. These microorganisms live in the air and play a crucial role in our lives, affecting our well-being and environment.”
Post-Pandemic Awareness:
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of understanding how microbes move through the air. It's made us realize that what we can't see can indeed affect us. Into Thin Air shines a spotlight on this crucial aspect of our environment. It serves as a reminder that the air we breathe isn't empty but teeming with life.
Project: Into Thin Air
Client: Radboud University Nijmegen
Commissioned by Schemerlicht Festival
In collaboration with Sandipan Nath
- This project was realised while part of Studio Smink -