Miguel Sbastida

Ecosistemas de Postnaturaleza brings to the forefront the ocean restoration methods that many organisations are using to save the planet’s coral reefs. These ecosystems are not only the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, but also the most damaged due to climate change.

These foundations are currently using highly sophisticated techno-scientific methods that aim to regrow and reinsert coral into the affected marine ecosystems. Some of these techniques include stimulating the growth of limestone rock around electrically conductive submarine structures, and 3D bioprinting of bionic tissue to grow zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae that coral needs to survive.

The biotechnological materials that these manufactured reefs use form part of a space in which the lines between the simple notions of what is artificial and what is natural are blurred and become problematic. What is even more important is that these technology-based restoration strategies are creating new forms of mutualism and allow coral to survive in these lethal conditions. What’s more, as the body of coral begins to absorb the components that comprise these initial structures (e.g. concrete, plastic and steel), new forms of speculative, post-natural geology are being created. They are of human origin and will preserve technological fossils from the Anthropocene for millions of years…

Bio

Miguel Sbastida (Madrid, 1989) 

is a visual artist who works across the disciplines of sculpture, video installation, and site-specific performance. His work studies the intersections of cultural ecologies, the processes behind climate breakdown and the geo-poetics of matter through scientific, eco-critic, philosophical, and post-colonial perspectives.

Over the past decade, his work has been exhibited in galleries, conventions and institutions around the world, including the Zhou B Art Center, ARCO Madrid, Korea Foundation Gallery Seoul, Expo Chicago, CDAN Museum, Carme Contemporary Culture Centre, Laboral Gijón Art and Industrial Creation Centre, Boghossian Foundation, Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art, Sullivan Galleries, and the Netherlands Institute for Media Art, among others.

Part of his work has been acquired by the Asia Culture Center of Gwangju, Yale University Haas Collection, BilbaoArte Foundation, and the Oneminutes Foundation Netherlands, among others. His work is represented by LMNO, Brussels.

Residence

With the support of DKV Seguros and the collaboration of the Mutant Institute of Environmental Narratives (IMNA), the artistic laboratory for the climate of Matadero Madrid, this Residency of artistic production on environment and health will be developed. In a period of 3 months, which begins on October 1 and ends on December 30, 2021.

The resulting work (or part of it) will be shown during the open days that will be held on the occasion of ARCOMadrid during the month of February 2022. In addition, the work will become part of the DKV Collection.