Blue Dreams: Rebecca Rutstein and the Ocean Memory Project

By: Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences

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Synopsis: From March 15 to September 15, 2023, the Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences presented the immersive video installation Blue Dreams created by multidisciplinary artist Rebecca Rutstein in collaboration with a team of scientists from the Ocean Memory Project. It was inspired by the intricate workings of microbial networks in the deep sea and beyond. From abstract imagery to stunning undersea video footage and computer modeling, it offers a glimpse into the interconnections and resilience of our planet's smallest yet most vital living systems. The video flows between micro and macro worlds to portray geologic processes at play with microbial and planetary webs of interactivity. Microbes are essential to the functioning of the Earth: they produce the air we breathe, regulate biogeochemical cycles, and are the origins of life on our planet. Blue Dreams is a testament to the profound impact that microbial networks have on a global scale.