SELF/ICE MINTING
SUCCESFULLY MINTED!

You are now a TERRICOLA COLLECTOR of SELF/ICE Collection

The final image of your NFT will be updated soon

CAPSIDE

keyboard_arrow_down

CONTENT

CAPSIDE

2024

CAPSIDE, consists of 16 natural resin spheres, each containing purified DNA from 16 organic samples collected from the surroundings and surfaces of four iconic trees in the region of Casilla Naira Community in Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia.

The result inspires the rest of the artistic works proposed by the artist.

These spheres have been installed within a radius of approximately 5 square kilometers around the four original trees, transforming the region into the Pineal Museum, that can be visited from a perspective of critical tourism. This approach promotes sustainable, respectful, and positive evolution for the local community. It becomes a new cultural asset, serving as a social, economic, and communication resource to meet the most pressing and immediate needs of these communities, while preserving their legacy and valuable knowledge.

The project is the result of the first Ananeco-Barcú Residency.

ABOUT

The project is rooted in the collection of genetic material from four carefully selected trees, chosen for their ecological and symbolic importance. These species were geolocated and documented within a framework identified as 6093, a numbering system that connects their spatial positioning to their ecological significance in the global mapping of biodiversity.

From Forest to Laboratory: Environmental DNA as a Living Memory

The creation of Capside began with the capture of environmental DNA (eDNA) directly from the selected trees, using non-invasive methods that respect the integrity of the species. This DNA was transported to the laboratory, where it underwent a rigorous process that included:

  • Purification of the DNA, isolating the genetic material.
  • Amplification through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to study genetic sequences in detail.
  • Bioinformatic analysis, decoding the unique characteristics of each sample.

This scientific process, blending advanced biotechnological techniques with a deep respect for nature, serves as the foundation for the artistic materialization of the project.

 

Environmental DNA as a Legal Proposal: The eDNA Agency

Capside extends its impact beyond art and science through the concept of eDNA Agency, a visionary framework that proposes environmental DNA as a legal entity. This initiative seeks to establish a legal and ethical precedent for the protection and management of genetic material sourced from ecosystems. By advocating for the recognition of eDNA as a form of identity and representation for non-human entities, Solimán López positions genetic material as a cornerstone in the fight for environmental justice and conservation. The eDNA Agency envisions a future where environmental DNA is not only a scientific resource but also a legal tool to safeguard biodiversity and ensure accountability for its preservation.

CAPSIDE CASILLA NAIRA COLLECTION

Syring and Coppal robber sphere, environmental DNA, tree bark pouch.

The Materialization: 16 Sculptures as DNA Guardians

The isolated DNA from the trees was encapsulated within 16 spherical sculptures, designed as guardians of the genetic memory of these species. These spheres, created with an aesthetic that bridges biology and technology, were reinstalled in the original trees, completing a symbolic cycle where science and art are reintegrated into nature.

Each sculpture, positioned in the same environment from which the DNA was sourced, serves as a tangible connection between the tree, its genetic memory, and its habitat. These spheres are not merely containers of DNA; they are carriers of a profound message of balance, regeneration, and respect for the life on our planet.

CAPSIDE, the invisible agent documentary

Sinopsis:

In this visual essay and first-person reflection, artist Solimán López in co-direction with Andrés Castro and the photography of Andrés Vélez, presents his conceptual vision of granting the Amazon’s environmental DNA—and, by extension, that of the entire planet Earth—a legal entity capable of self-preservation against human activity. In biology, the capsid is the protective capsule surrounding the core of a virus; here, the artist proposes a conceptual and administrative capsule to safeguard environmental DNA and the biodiversity it represents, shielding it from an external “virus”: humanity.

Over the course of 28 minutes, organized into conceptual blocks inspired by the cosmic journey of Yagé, the artist transports us to his conceptual territories, presenting a collection of 16 spheres made of syringa—the rubber that once fueled one of the most devastating indigenous massacres in history. Each of these spheres encapsulates environmental DNA collected from soil, bark, leaves, roots, and air, gathered near four symbolic trees for the Casilla Naira Community at Km 11 in Leticia, Colombia, in the Amazon. Like frozen moments of life, these spheres serve as guardians of genetic memory.

This collection, symbolizing the defense of environmental DNA, breathes life into the Pineal Museum, founded by the artist in collaboration with the community and curator Lina Castañeda. This gesture stands as a tribute to the members of indigenous communities, custodians of ancestral wisdom and protectors of this new intangible heritage—key to the future of our planet—that now has an identity, a home, and its own museum.

L´eDNA du Monde

Glass, eDNA, Quantum dots.

Collection of crystal spheres, each encapsulating amplified DNA extracted from environmental samples. These elegant forms serve as both scientific artifacts and artistic expressions, symbolizing the protection and preservation of genetic memory in a rapidly changing world.

At the core of each sphere is amplified environmental DNA (eDNA), sourced from soil, bark, leaves, roots, and air collected near four symbolic Amazonian trees. This genetic material, isolated and amplified through cutting-edge biotechnological techniques, is made visible using quantum dots, nanoscale semiconducting particles that emit light when excited. The quantum dots, tuned to specific wavelengths, interact with the amplified DNA, creating a luminous display that brings the invisible to life.

This interplay of light and matter transforms each sphere into a glowing testament to biodiversity, highlighting the intricate and often unseen threads that connect all living beings. Beyond their visual impact, the spheres act as conceptual capsules, protecting the genetic legacy of these trees while inviting viewers to reflect on humanity’s role as both a guardian and a threat to the natural world.

Microscope view from Chimborazo ice melting. Speed: 100x

Bacteria in Chimborazo water.

eDNA Visions

AI Animations.

This series of AI-generated videos explores the imaginative digital materialization of environmental DNA (eDNA) captured from the Amazon, translating invisible genetic data into dynamic visual ecosystems. These videos function as speculative interpretations, where the raw data of life intertwines with the creative potential of artificial intelligence to envision how genetic information might manifest in a digital realm.

Each video begins with an abstraction of DNA sequences, rendered as pulsating patterns and evolving structures that mimic the complexity of Amazonian biodiversity. As the sequences “unfold,” AI-driven algorithms generate vivid landscapes populated by imagined flora and fauna, blending traits of real-world organisms with speculative designs inspired by the uniqueness of the sampled eDNA.

The visual narratives are enhanced by organic textures, fractal-like growths, and fluid morphologies, evoking the untamed richness of the Amazon while emphasizing its fragility. The videos transition through phases of growth, interaction, and decay, reflecting the cyclical nature of life and the impact of external forces, including human intervention.

Soundscapes accompany the visuals, featuring a fusion of natural recordings—like rustling leaves, bird calls, and river currents—combined with synthetic tones that echo the digital reinterpretation of nature. This immersive audiovisual experience invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of all life and the profound implications of preserving the genetic memory embedded in the Amazon’s environment.

2024

COP16. Centro Cultural de Cali.
Xpanse Abu Dhabi. UE.
Blend Festival, Barcelona. Spain.

Credits

Produced in ANANECO-BARCU residency at Casilla Naira Community, Leticia, Colombia.

  • Curated by Lina Castañeda.
  • Co-Direction - Andrés Castro.
  • Photography and Edition - Andrés Vélez.
  • Production - Barcú.
  • Community - Casilla Naira.

Special thanks to:

Brigitte Baptiste and Don Gilberto Bártenes and the whole Casilla Naira Community.

..index