Consumers of the Phycosphere

Year : 2025

Media : Glass and clay

This two-layer glass sculpture illustrates the process by which bacteria consume chemicals produced by algae in the phycosphere. The rear piece showcases the vibrant colors of laboratory cultures of diatoms and bacteria, while the front piece features sandblasted glass that represents algae within the culture. The artist depicted the bacteria in bold colors and elevated them with clay to create a focal point within the sculpture. This choice is intentional, as the lead author aims for the audience to notice the contrast between the upper and lower sections of the front piece. The upper section is darker in hue compared to the lower section, indicating that VOC specialists consume more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than VOC generalists or non-specialists. VOC specialists are those bacteria that ingest high amounts of VOCs—gaseous bubbles produced by algae—while VOC non-specialists exhibit different organic compound preferences. It articulates the conceptual definitions and findings related to VOC consumption derived from her dissertation.