MIHA GODEC Temni kisik / Dark Oxygen: Malum Prohibitum

MIHA GODEC
Temni kisik / Dark Oxygen: Malum Prohibitum

27 December 2025, 19:00–22:00
29 December 2025, 17:00–19:00

Odprtje razstave je del zaključnega dogodka ob zaprtju osmo/ze: sobota 27. 12. 2025, ob 19. uri

Voden ogled z umetnikom v ponedeljek 29.12, ob 17:00

Instalacija Temni kisik raziskuje skrivnostne, a izjemno specifične procese globokomorskih ekosistemov. Projekt izhaja iz prelomnega znanstvenega odkritja, objavljenega leta 2024 v reviji Nature (Nat. Geosci. 17, 2024)*, ki razkriva pojav tako imenovanega temnega kisika v Tihem oceanu, približno 4000 metrov pod morsko gladino. Znanstveniki domnevajo, da v teh globinah, kamor svetloba nikoli ne prodre, polimetalni noduli delujejo kot geobaterije in ustvarjajo pogoje za nastanek kisika brez fotosinteze. Miha Godec v sodelovanju s Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (Frankfurt, Nemčija) in z Inštitutom za kovinske materiale in tehnologije (IMT) poustvari polimetalne nodule ter procese elektrolize. Instalacija vzpostavi zaprto, medsebojno odvisno zanko med elektrolizo, ki generira temni kisik, in aerobnimi bakterijami, katerih delovanje je povezano z algoritemskim nadzorom in količino razpoložljivega kisika. Sistem deluje kot živa, odzivna struktura, v kateri se tehnologija, kemija in biologija neprestano prepletajo.

Projekt nadaljuje umetnikovo serijo, usmerjeno v manj vidne ekološke dinamike in etične dileme sodobnih tehnologij. Prepleta umetnost, znanost in tehnologijo ter odpira prostor za razmislek o razmerjih med človekom, kapitalom in vodnimi ekosistemi. Polimetalni noduli so namreč eden ključnih virov kovin za baterije, elektroniko in zeleni prehod, zato so postali predmet intenzivnih ekonomskih interesov. Projekt odpira vprašanje, kako razumeti te nečloveške akterje: kot dragocene strateške surovine ali kot samostojne entitete z lastnimi procesi in ritmi.

Vabimo vas tudi k podpisu peticije za ustavitev globokomorskega rudarjenja: https://www.greenpeace.org/slovenia/petitions/ustavimo-globokomorsko-rudarjenje/

* https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01480-8

Miha Godec (SI) je intermedijski umetnik, ki v svoji praksi prepleta umetnost, znanost in tehnologijo. Njegovo delo je usmerjeno v eksperimentalno in postekološko ekologijo, vodne ekosisteme, bioumetnost, zvočne instalacije ter spekulativne tehnološke sisteme. V svojih raziskavah se posveča razmerju med človekom in ekosistemi ter kritično obravnava tehnologijo kot domnevno rešitev okoljskih kriz znotraj kapitalističnih produkcijskih in potrošniških sistemov. Z uporabo senzorike, živih organizmov, algoritemskih procesov in zvočne sinteze razvija umetniške prostore in instalacije, v katerih naravni procesi postanejo nosilci podatkov, ritma in pomena. Razstavljal je doma in v tujini; med vidnejšimi prizorišči so Ars Electronica (AT), Piksel (NO), Galerija Cukrarna, Mestna galerija Ljubljana, Galerija Kresija in Xcenter.

Besedilo: Maša Žekš
Foto: Miha Godec

Avtor: Miha Godec
Kuratorka: Maša Žekš
Leto: 2025
Tehnična in razvojna podpora: Inštitut za kovinske materiale in tehnologije (IMT)
Fotogrametrija in 3D-skeni polimetalnih nodulov: Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance, Zavod Kersnikova
Programiranje: Dimitry Morozov
Tehnologija: računalnik, senzorji, mikrokrmilniki, črpalke, laboratorijsko steklo, kovina, akril
Produkcija: Artevida Institute
Koprodukcija in podpora: Inštitut za kovinske materiale in tehnologije (IMT), Zavod projekt Atol
Finančna podpora: Mestna občina Ljubljana
Posebna zahvala: dr. Irena Paulin (IMT), Nejc Velikajne (IMT), prof. dr. Nejc Hodnik (IMT)

— ENG —

MIHA GODEC
Dark Oxygen: Malum Prohibitum

27 December 2025, 7:00–10:00 pm
29 December 2025, 5:00–7:00 pm
Galerija Osmo/za, Slovenska 54, Ljubljana (8th floor)

Exhibition opening is part of the closing event of osmo/za: Saturday, 27 December 2025, 7:00 pm
Guided tour with the artist on Monday, 29 December, 5:00 pm

The installation Dark Oxygen investigates obscure yet highly specific processes within deep-sea ecosystems. The project is based on a breakthrough scientific discovery published in 2024 in Nature Geoscience (Nat. Geosci. 17, 2024)*, which revealed the phenomenon of so-called dark oxygen in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of approximately 4,000 metres below sea level. In these depths, where light never penetrates, scientists hypothesise that polymetallic nodules function as geobatteries, creating conditions for oxygen production without photosynthesis.

In collaboration with the Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (Frankfurt, Germany) and the Institute of Metals and Technology (IMT), Miha Godec reconstructs polymetallic nodules and electrolytic processes. The installation establishes a closed, interdependent loop between electrolysis, which generates dark oxygen, and aerobic bacteria whose activity is linked to algorithmic control and the amount of available oxygen. The system operates as a living, responsive structure in which technology, chemistry, and biology are continuously intertwined.

The project continues the artist’s ongoing series focused on less visible ecological dynamics and the ethical dilemmas of contemporary technologies. It interweaves art, science, and technology, opening a space for reflection on the relationships between humans, capital, and aquatic ecosystems. Polymetallic nodules are among the key sources of metals for batteries, electronics, and the green transition, and have therefore become the focus of intense economic interest. The project raises the question of how these non-human actors should be understood: as valuable strategic resources or as autonomous entities with their own processes and rhythms.

Visitors are also invited to sign the petition calling for a halt to deep-sea mining:

Ustavimo globokomorsko rudarjenje

* https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01480-8

BIO

Miha Godec (SI) is an intermedia artist whose practice interweaves art, science, and technology. His work focuses on experimental and post-ecological ecologies, aquatic ecosystems, bio-art, sound installations, and speculative technological systems. His research addresses the relationship between humans and ecosystems, critically examining technology as a purported solution to environmental crises within capitalist modes of production and consumption. Through the use of sensors, living organisms, algorithmic processes, and sound synthesis, he develops artistic environments and installations in which natural processes become carriers of data, rhythm, and meaning. He has exhibited nationally and internationally, with presentations at venues including Ars Electronica (AT), Piksel (NO), Gallery Cukrarna, Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana, Gallery Kresija, and Xcenter.

Credits

Author: Miha Godec
Curator: Maša Žekš
Year: 2025
Technical and Development Support: Institute of Metals and Technology (IMT)
Photogrammetry and 3D Scans of Polymetallic Nodules: Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (Frankfurt, Germany), Kersnikova Institute
Programming: Dimitry Morozov
Technology: computer, sensors, microcontrollers, pumps, laboratory glassware, metal, acrylic
Production: Artevida Institute
Co-production and Support: Institute of Metals and Technology (IMT), Atol Institute
Supported by: Municipality of Ljubljana
Special thanks: Dr. Irena Paulin (IMT), Nejc Velikajne (IMT), Prof. Dr. Nejc Hodnik (IMT)