Showcase: Roscoffensis I/O by Miha Godec & Roscomoe Lab at OSMO/ZA, 27-30 Nov 2024

Roscoffensis I/O by Miha Godec and Roscosmoe Lab was showcased at OSMO/ZA during the Expedition to Public Outer Space in Slovenia, 27-30 Nov 2024. The project combines photosymbiosis and artificial intelligence to care for S. roscoffensis worms.

The Symsagittifera roscoffensis is a photosymbiotic marine flat worm who lives in colonies on the tidal zone on the European Atlantic coast. This green worm ingests but does not digest its algal partner, preserving it in its tissues to feed on its photosynthetic activity. This phenomenon has inspired futuristic speculative scenarios in which photosymbiotic humans would no longer need to feed. The biology of S. roscoffensis also makes the species a potential model for the development of bioregenerative life support systems applied to space research: oxygen production, recycling of CO2 and nitrogen metabolism waste, regenerative tissue capacities, energy autonomy. The long-term Roscosmoe project aims to explore evolutionary scenarios for a becoming-photosynthesis of the human species, as well as to design an autonomous module to maintain the ecological conditions of a colony of S. roscoffensis for the duration of a space mission. The design methodology is implemented by a multidisciplinary team of scientists, artists, designers, engineers and researchers in the humanities. A milestone in this 10 years endeavour, Roscoffensis I/O proposes a Bio-AI symbiosystem that explores the intricate symbiosis between the S. Roscoffensis and artificial intelligence. The AI acts as a caretaker, but becomes an active, learning participant in the symbiotic relationship, shaping and being shaped by biological feedback. Roscoffensis I/O serves as a platform to investigate the autonomous survival capabilities of these symbiotic organisms in isolated or extreme environments, such as those encountered during space travel. By interlinking algae, animal, and machine systems, the installation probes the boundaries of biological and technological integration. It underscores the complexity of natural interdependencies and invites us to examine animal-plant-machine interrelationships in anthropotechnical.

Roscoffensis I/O presentation booklet

The project has been exhibited at Osmo/za gallery( Ljubljana, Slovenia): https://osmoza.si/en/event/ros...