Bio-Moon Lab (Talk & Exhibition Tour)
How can bioluminescence be harnessed as a sustainable alternative to artificial lighting in contemporary art, bridging science and creativity?
Bio-Moon Lab is an innovative interdisciplinary project that fuses art, sustainability, and scientific inquiry through the exploration of bioluminescence. By cultivating Vibrio fischeri bacteria in petri dishes and liquid solutions, the project aims to develop “Bio-light” as a sustainable alternative to conventional artificial lighting in contemporary art.
The visual outcomes of the project mirror the phases of the moon, invoking natural rhythms of life and light. This thematic exploration culminates in three distinct artworks: digital images, immersive light installations, and a unique bio-light machine designed to produce bioluminescent light in real time. The centerpiece, titled Bio-Moon, is a digital Giclée print that visually reflects lunar phases and incorporates petri dishes shaped like butterfly wings, symbolizing metamorphosis and the interconnectedness of biological systems.
This installation invites public engagement, allowing viewers to witness the ethereal emergence of Bio-light firsthand. By reconceptualising light as a living, organic medium, Bio-Moon Lab fosters critical dialogue on the intersection of art and sustainability, illuminating new pathways for creative expression grounded in ecological consciousness. Through this innovative approach, the project inspires a deeper appreciation for the potential of biological systems in artistic practice.
Laura Benetton
Laura Benetton is a London–based multidisciplinary contemporary artist working at the intersection of art and science. Her work is informed by scientific phenomena such as bioluminescence and movement science. Generative in nature, her work spans a wide range of media, including painting performance, light installation, sculpture, and bio-art. Her work in the past decade has received International recognition, and selected exhibitions include: the Arnaldo Pomodoro Artist’s Residency, Italy; Jardine Orange Residency in Shenzhen, China; the Affordable Art Fair in New York and Hong Kong; the HubArt gallery in Italy; and, The Houses of Parliament. Recent awards include the Artist in Residency award from Artiq Gallery in 2022 and the Third prize for the Landmark Prize 2022 edition. In 2023 Laura was the recipient of the Artist in Residency Award from the Institute of Biomedicine in Barcelona in 2023. In 2024, she was selected to exhibit her project “WFP dance” at the worldwide Festival of Arts, Music and Technology SONAR in Barcelona.
Links
Website: https://www.laurabenetton.co.uk/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabenettonstudio
crQlr Awards Exhibition: https://fabcafe.com/events/tokyo/crqlr-exhibition-2025-tokyo/