Julie Freeman
Active Living Infrastructure: Controlled Environment (ALICE) 2.0

- Artists
- Julie Freeman
- Title
- Active Living Infrastructure: Controlled Environment (ALICE) 2.0
- Year
- 2023
- Medium / Material / Technic
- Mixed media installation powered by microbial fuel cells; web-based interactive animation of artificial life, soundscape.
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»ALICE« by British artist Julie Freeman, with scientist Ioannis Ieropoulos and experimental architect Rachel Armstrong, uses microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology to harness the energy of microbes as they metabolise liquid waste such as urine and organic sludge. The work is a living installation and active experiment, which tests an energy generating alternative to fossil fuel combustion.
Twelve modular microbial fuel cell systems drive a biological-digital interface and power LED lighting. Energy generation performance data from the cells is collected and transformed into a real-time animation and electro-acoustic composition. The movements of animated mobes mimic that of the microbes, bringing into view the world of hidden life within the installation.
On a small scale, »ALICE« realizes a vision for future large-scale infrastructures with smart sanitation and resource autonomy in harmony with natural energy flows. The spherical shape hints at this future scenario: the potential to transform energy and water systems globally.