island chen develops the blue island bioluminescent algae installation

island chen develops the blue island bioluminescent algae installation
all images courtesy of island chen

matsu is a tiny taiwanese island located off the eastern coast of china. isolated in the sea, the atoll has had little potential for economic development, and has for the most part has fallen further and further behind its mother country. that is, until a strange bioluminescent algae began blooming on its shores. scientifically referred to as dinoflagellates, the organisms cause the surface of the ocean to sparkle a deep, ethereal blue at night. the spectacle has attracted thousands of tourists, and has become an integral symbol within local culture.

algae in the laboratory

there’s only one problem. the frequency, duration, and relative intensity of the natural phenomenon is directly attributed to nutrient pollution. beautiful at nightfall, by day the algae curdles the water with a thick red pigment, and feasts upon organisms in the water. the algae heighten ammonia levels in the sea, and with the help of thousands of pounds of floating trash and industrial waste, are capable of destroying marine life and threatening human welfare.

the ‘blue island’ is a bio-digital installation by island chen that recreates the dinoflagellates’ habitat in a contained environment. adapted to function using agricultural wastes, combined with a roof bound fresnel lens — to increase photosynthesis energy. ‘blue island’ is intended to act as an educational tool to help people remember that the algae is harmful, no matter how aesthetically pleasing. it also functions as a much-safer, viable option to retain the now burgeoning eco-tourism industry. 

installation sketch 

prototype 

roof fresnel lens for increasing light intake 

the bio-installation absorbs light for increasing biomass and efficiency of photosynthesis during daylight hours

water running over the algae, creating blue luminescence 

the installation hopes to help people associate algae with pollution rather than beauty

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom