SYNTHETIC BIOTA
María José Cárceles
This exhibition not only seeks to have a visual impact, but also to provoke deep reflection on environmental issues, the evolution of art, and the intersection of technology and artistic expression. promote the human capacity to learn to learnusing: logic, reason and empiricism.
Saramago, in his “Essay on Blindness,” uses a euphemistic oxymoron about human beings, saying what they are: blind who, seeing, do not see. Coming to the deduction that; the loss of ethical orientation; selfish individualism; consumerism; the community… and many other misinterpreted gnoses demonstrate that men are incapable of reflecting to learn to think and clarify present and future decisions that concern the survival of the species. All these elements lead the Portuguese writer to the conclusion that, humanity is blind to reason.
Along the same lines as the Portuguese writer is: John Hurley Flavell, who explains his theory: you have to learn to learn. According to Flavell, metacognition develops in humans as they are living beings who reflect on their own cognitive thought process, but it is indeed useless if they do not know how to use it, which leads society to decline.
Humans have already proven themselves to be poor stewards and ignorant of the environmental reality around us. We are in a critical moment, it is very crucial that we have a social awareness aimed at finding solutions to save the planet, and therefore the human species and living beings in general. In fact, only the abyssal and bioluminescent animals found in the hadal zone could survive
The three artists that make up this exhibition: Grupo CELES and El Perro Pinto, show through a new narrative, the symbiosis between thought, human creativity and artificial intelligence.The genesis of the project came from an idea of María José Cárceles, a multidisciplinary artist attentive to the environmental problem, human rights activist and defender of Real Equality. Curator and director of the exhibition, journalist, filmmaker…
First phase of the project: Analogue art or recycled art; is based on the reuse of objects made with waste materials and their transformation into works of art, creating a conversion conceived in a dystopian future, because of this very reason it has created an innovative narrative by creating multiple manually made dioramas, scenes with the alleged survivors and the their habitat in the Adal area. Beings that will process a slow metamorphosis by adapting to pollution,they too will then disappear. A new era will arrive,that of machines.
The second phase of the project begins: the artist Rafael Hortal makes digital photographs of each of the dioramas assembled by Cárceles and, after making meticulous work from different angles with his camera and lighting, reviews the images with digital retouching. Rafael is a visual artist, writer and television producer.
The third phase, which culminates in the project, is carried out by Desiderio Guerra, AI specialist, BBAA graduate, artist and creator of the three phases. It will direct and communicate with artificial intelligence, giving life to a future that is as aesthetic as it is indeed chaotic. He also made a video with the images obtained by the AI, but putting them in motion, something new and which he had to create with various types of AI.
In the exhibition: “Synthetic Biota”, the artists worked to create synergies that will stimulate the attention of the actors who go to see it.The aim is to show a peculiar approach, a three-way way of creating art, inviting participants to reflect on the actions of human beings and the evolution of art from the 19th century onwards. XXI and the use of tools such as artificial intelligence to obtain solutions and new types of artistic expressions.
The “Synthetic Biota” project was selected by the ICA in the EXE Plan and chosen by the Culture of the Municipality of Cieza to be exhibited in the Siyâsa Museum.
María José Cárceles: Multidisciplinary artist. Journalist.Curator, Manager and Art Critic. Director. Television director.
What role does technology play in shaping contemporary art that addresses environmental issues?
Interview: Exploring the Intersection of Art, Technology, and Environmental Consciousness
Time.news editor: Welcome, everyone! Today we’re thrilled to have with us María José Cárceles, the mind behind the captivating exhibition “Synthetic Biota”. This exhibition not only visually impacts its audience but also provokes deep reflections on pressing environmental issues. Welcome,María José!
María José Cárceles: Thank you for having me!
Editor: Your exhibition draws inspiration from profound literary figures like Saramago and John hurley Flavell. Can you explain the connection between their thoughts and the themes in “Synthetic Biota”?
Cárceles: Absolutely. Saramago’s notion of humanity being “blind to reason” resonates deeply with my work. His call for reflection amidst societal consumerism and ethical disorientation is very much evident in today’s world. I wanted to use art to illustrate this blindness—a blindness that prevents us from making informed decisions about our survival. Similarly, Flavell’s theory on metacognition highlights the necessity of not just thinking, but reflecting on our thinking. In my exhibition, I encourage viewers to engage in this reflective process.
Editor: That’s a fascinating outlook. In what ways do you think art can encourage this reflection, especially regarding environmental issues?
Cárceles: Art has a unique capacity to transcend language and cultural barriers. It provokes emotions and thoughts that might otherwise remain unexamined. Through visual stimuli, I aim to make people feel the urgency of environmental challenges. When thay see the blend of organic and synthetic forms in “Synthetic Biota”, I hope they contemplate the consequences of their actions and the potential for change—sparking an emotional connection that can lead to a deeper understanding and learning.
Editor: There’s a compelling aspect of your exhibition that merges art and technology. How does this intersection play a role in fostering dialogue about our environment?
Cárceles: Technology can amplify the reach and impact of art. In “Synthetic Biota”, I’ve integrated digital elements to reflect on how technology can both harm and heal our planet. By using synthetic materials and digital presentation methods, I illustrate the duality of our existence—our dependence on technology versus our need to nurture the natural world. This dichotomy not only prompts dialogue but encourages innovative thinking as we search for solutions.
editor: Your work encourages viewers to “learn to learn.” Can you elaborate on how this concept manifests in the exhibition?
Cárceles: Of course! “learning to learn” involves developing a deeper understanding of our cognitive processes. I’ve designed interactive installations that invite participation—encouraging visitors to engage with their thoughts and feelings about nature and technology. Each piece is crafted to inspire critical thinking about how they can apply what they learn, fostering a culture of reflection that extends beyond the exhibition space.
Editor: It sounds like you’ve created an immersive journey. As we witness a growing urgency around environmental issues, what do you hope audiences take away from “synthetic Biota”?
Cárceles: I hope they leave with a sense of duty and empowerment. Awareness is the first step toward action. by reflecting on the relationship between human behavior and the environment, I aspire for viewers to realize that change is possible. We can learn from our past mistakes and leverage our innovative spirit to forge a enduring future. I want them to leave not just as spectators,but as active participants in the dialogue for change.
editor: That’s incredibly inspiring, María José. Thank you for sharing your insights and the vision behind “Synthetic Biota”. It sounds like a remarkable exhibition that challenges us to reflect on our choices and their impact on the world.
Cárceles: Thank you! I appreciate the chance to discuss these critical issues. I hope people will engage with the work and embrace the concept of learning as a continuous journey.
Editor: And we encourage our readers to experience this exhibition for themselves. Let’s reflect critically—and learn to learn! Thank you for joining us today,María José.