THIS IS THE RESULT OF 35 FAILED TESTS | 2022
Through the color visualization of São Luís's landscape (see here the map of samples), Felipe Shibuya embarked on an ecological exploration with profound implications. His meticulous research, conducted during his residency at Cultivamos Cultura + Arteria_Lab, revolved around encapsulating the local colors of plants, soil, and water into a blanket of dyed bioplastics. In essence, the hues that comprise the natural environment became a direct input for the creation of Shibuya's sustainable art.
In this is the result of 35 failed tests, Shibuya persistent pursuit of an ecological representation of São Luís, despite encountering 35 failed attempts, serves to underscore the inherent beauty of nature and the difficulties faced in replicating its delicate balance within the constraints of human-made materials. However, it is precisely within these struggles where Shibuya's work shines. Each failed experiment served as a stepping stone, a roadmap illuminating the path to the one successful bioplastic that managed to authentically capture the desired result.
Moreover, this rigorous exploration of biomaterials in art, instigated by Shibuya, aims to connect humans more deeply to the natural world. Through visualizing the landscape's colors, we gain an intuitive understanding of its ecology, seasonality, and processes. We decode nature's palette to grasp its shifting rhythms, its undulating patterns, and the complex interactions between diverse ecosystems. The landscapes speak to us, not with words, but with colors, and by deciphering these vibrant dialogues, we gain insights into the environmental changes that are happening beneath the surface.
In this light, this project is not merely an artistic endeavor, but a clarion call for sustainability and preservation. It presents a model that demonstrates how art can serve as an instrumental tool in raising ecological awareness and triggering proactive measures for environmental preservation. By gaining a deeper understanding of nature's messages and embodying them in our creations, we can learn to appreciate the fragility of our landscapes, recognizing the urgent need to protect and preserve them for the future. In essence, Shibuya's efforts in biomaterial experimentation at the intersection of art and ecology can become a beacon of hope for sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Exhibitions
2023 · Expanse
Cultivamos Cultura, São Luís, Portugal
2023 · ecos
Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
2022 · Perspectivas
Biblioteca Municipal José Saramago, Odemira, Portugal
