Diatoms are water-bound, single-celled symmetrical organisms that harness the power of the sun to create oxygen. They are responsible for generating 1/3 of the air we breathe and are encapsulated in silica. Their glass shells – all that remains from the diatom – are used by scientists today to see what was as they research the environmental issues that will shape our tomorrow. Scientists, and artists, can determine the past salinity of water by examining the shells of diatoms preserved in sedimentary core samples. Each diatom species has a different salinity preference, so changes in the mixture of fresh and sea water (driven by sea level and changes in water management) can be inferred from past diatom remains.
CTD2652599 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
CTD2652600 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
CTD2652601 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
CTD2652602 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
CTD2652608 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
CTD2652607 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
CTD2652604 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
CTD2652603 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
Xavier Cortada, Shimmer, digital art/archival ink on aluminum, 2015.
CTD2652606 by Cortada, Xavier; Private Collection; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright
Xavier Cortada, “Luster,” digital art/archival ink on aluminum, 2015 CTD2652605 by Cortada, Xavier; REPRODUCTION PERMISSION REQUIRED; American, in copyright