Annalisa Vobis

Biomimicry

96" x 180" x 72"; acrylic felt, plastic and foam; 2008

Biomimicry: from bios (life) and minesis, (to imitate). This science study investigates nature's best ideas and then copies their designs; resulting innovation inspired by nature. The work I am aiming for studies nature systems and processes. Especially the landscape of a coral reef became a central topic of my creations. Heat transformed the soft felt material into crystallized plant formations. Artificial materials mimic evolutionary processes like melting, crystallization, transformation and growth.

Inner Landscapes

"Inspired by "Love," a novel by the French writer Stendhal, this exhibition takes the crystallization process as starting point. Crystallization describes a mental metamorphosis in which unattractive characteristics of a new love are transformed into perceptional crystals. According to Stendhal, crystallization is that action of the mind that discovers purity and perfection in its beloved at every turn of event.

Hybrid Organisms

The organisms I create are mixtures between botanical and zoological areas. The basis for the new organisms are gene parts of bacteria, plants and animals. Especially the forms and shapes of bacteria inform the surface design. The final gestalt of the hybrids is defined by animals like hamsters, elephants, or hedgehogs. These creatures move slowly through their environment. They move at sunny places and hide during bad weather in caves. They come together to create carpet-like groupings and their bodies are robust. They are constructions of prototype models of the active evolution. The dynamic movement allows these organisms to achieve more changes in a shorter time span. Today humankind has become an active part in the production of the new, and hybrid, species. We decide what type of creatures we want, therefore have to face responsibilities.