TANYA DUCKWORTH ARTIST SCIENTIST
ELPHS Habitat
Abstract
ELPHS Habitat (Effects of Lighting & Plants on Humans in Space) is an installation artwork in collaboration with the ELPHS Project and Space Architecture Lab at the University of Adelaide's Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources, and brings to life the science of lighting, horticulture and human cognition in Space Habitation, as a sculptural installation. The project focuses on humanity's potential future in Space Habitation and the increasing reliance on indoor environments for daily life, including human and plant growth. The interconnectedness between plants, the sounds and overall atmosphere of living in a Space Habitat, and Light Emitting Diode (LED) spectra's effects on human physiology, cognition and well-being becomes a focal point of at the nexus of scientific and artistic interest. NASA's involvement in researching plant growth in zero gravity and natural lighting-deprived settings, utilizing LED growth systems, forms a significant part of the artwork's theme.
The artwork delves into research on LEDs featuring a combination of red, blue, white, and/or far-red spectra as the best indoor lighting condition for plant growth. However, it also acknowledges the negative impact of blue light on human circadian function, while highlighting the positive influence of greenery on human well-being. The interconnectedness between plants and LED spectra's effects on human well-being becomes a focal point of investigation.
Additionally, the work underscores the growing importance of optimising indoor environments for human, plant, and possibly animal co-habitation due to the increasing impact of climate change on outdoor spaces. This optimisation is presented as crucial for Earth's survival and for the prospects of space exploration.
The artwork is a collaboration with researchers on the ELPHS Project (Effects of Light and Plants on Humans in Space) and the Space Architecture lab at the University of Adelaide's Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources (ATCSR). ELPHS is funded by the University of Adelaide's FAME Initiate grant scheme, and the installation project is currently negotiating sponsors for a future exhibition in an appropriate gallery space.
CogniSpace 2023, light, organic material and sculptural installation inside a space habitat built by the Space Architecture lab at the University of Adelaide, Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources. Sculptural installation constructed from recycled plastic, paper vellum and silk thread. Photos and video by Tanya Duckworth with the assistance of Carla Nardin.
Olfactory Neuron: Olfaction, Addiction + Love 2017, sculptural relief of paper vellum and
silk thread on cotton archival paper; scientific abstract print; dopamine neurotransmitter
Olfactory Neuron
Abstract
The artwork Olfactory Neuron is a sculptural relief exploring the involvement of olfaction in the neurochemical processes of love and addiction. Scent plays an important role in emotion, cognition and neural processes in humans and animals. Specifically, olfactory processes are associated with creating, maintaining and retrieving memories, they have been implicated in the neural process of addiction within the dopaminergic reward system, and are associated with attraction and genetic compatibility of mates in mammals and insects. Sexual attraction and the involvement of scent in humans is an evolving topic in neuroscience research. Pheromones are purported to be chemical substances released by mammals and insects that influence behaviour and physiological changes in others of the same species. While the existence of human pheromones have yet to be confirmed, studies have shown that female body odour is more attractive to human males during the menstrual cycle and that human leukocyte antigen (HLA) encoding major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins, could provide important clues as to how the human immune system interprets smells to determine the genetic compatibility of a potential mate. Heartbreak is a physically and neurologically similar process to withdrawal from an addiction and the senses are inextricably involved in both love and addiction, with the role of olfaction being an important factor in the formation of emotional memory connected to these processes.
Olfactory Neuron: Olfaction, Addiction + Love 2017, sculptural relief of paper vellum and silk thread.
Clones
Abstract
Clones delves into the realms of cellular structures, genetics, and cloning through the lens of alchemy. The series is a photochemical inquiry into the impact of cloning on our humanity and the potential for genetic enlightenment. The artworks are created via experimental interactions of chemistry and light exposure on photographic emulsion, then digitally cloned, and serve as portals to the microcosmic universe of cellular life, displayed as cells in a microscopic slide, as a platform for life's intricate complexity. Clones draws inspiration from alchemical symbolism, bridging the ancient wisdom of alchemical principles with contemporary science, provoking contemplation on the ethical aspects of cloning and the delicate balance between scientific progress and responsible genetic exploration.
Clone: experiment #0001 2019, Kodak Supra III photo paper 8x10", chemistry, oil and light on colour emulsion; digital colours correction and reproduction.