Artist Lab Report:
In search of a Sun Eating Creature
by Nicole Banowetz and Devin Reilly

We arrived at Lakeside in search of a microscopic organism to recreate as an inflatable sculpture.  We were unsure what lived in Okobogi Lake, but knew there were many amazing micro animals, zooplankton, and phytoplankton.

We began our search in the library and explored many books on Freshwater algae, Protozoa, and freshwater invertebrates. We felt particularly drawn to one dinoflagellate, Cerium Hirundella.

We began to think of the algae as sea monster.  Something mysterious lurking in the lake that is not quite knowable and that can only be seen sometimes.  Especially in the case of the algal bloom where the seemingly invisible algae could suddenly overwhelm the lake and even make it dangerous.

   

 

When we arrived at Lakeside lab the lake had more algae due to the recent flooding events.

 

 

We learned from the algae professor at Lakeside lab that Hirundella is present in the lake. Cerium Hirundella has characteristics of both plants and animals and as a mixotroph can both photosynthesis and digest organic matter. Now we hoped we could find it ourselves in the microscope so we started to collect samples while also preparing to create our sculpture.

 

 

   

Finding so much life in the microscope but could we find our dinoflagalette (as seen above). But we continued to search and Devin 3D modeled the form so I could start to sew.

3D model and patterns.

 

 While Devin created the model and patterns Nicole worked with other algae forms.

During our second week at Lakeside we finally found the Cerium Hirundella in a sample!

 

Now we need to finish creating our sculpture.  Once we print out our large paper patterns we label them and cut and organize our fabric.  Then Nicole sews everything together piece by piece.  Now we just need to figure out how to get it to safely float.  While exploring we find a broken paddle board.

 

In our third week we are finally ready to test our Hirundella.

 

 

And we have a chance to share our process with the interns at Lakeside Lab.

 

In our final week we want to keep experimenting with our algae.

 

And imagine how it can grow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Artists and scientists are both asking questions about the world, they’re just doing it in different ways”
Alex Braidwood
Director, Iowa Lakeside Lab Artists-in-Residence Program

Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up with what's happening in the Artist-in-Residence studios

Email Address *

Name *