Non-biting midges (chironomidae) are bred in an aquarium. Inside the aquarium mosquito eggs and larvae swim in sand and water. They are ventilated and supplied with abundant artificial daylight. The choice of midges (Chironomus Riparius, a laboratory strain) allows for captive breeding.
The scientific paper
For a performance I invited Christina Meissner to improvise on the theme of the wingbeat sound. We could experience that the tracks of the midges were visibly influenced especially by dark plucking sounds.
"the outline of paradise" - view into the soundbox
This setting allows to find out how swarms develop and how they can be influenced. This installation follows “sustaibable luminosity” and explores the possibilities to train migdes and to pass this behaviour to the next generations
Concept: Ursula Damm
Artistic + scientific consultation: Dr. Klaus Fritze
Cello, Sounds: Christina Meissner
Programming: Sebastian Stang