Hiromi Ozaki, known by her artist’s name, Sputniko!, is a Japanese British artist combining art and technology to explore social issues. Her work integrates scientific concepts and emerging technologies to question perspectives and highlight important social and environmental issues.
OIST science writer Merle Naidoo recently interviewed Sputniko! for the OIST podcast.
Sputniko! frequently collaborates with scientists, as seen in her project titled “Red Silk of Fate” involving bioengineered silk that combines genetic engineering with cultural mythology. Inspired by Asian mythologies about a red silk line that connects two people who are destined to be together, she collaborated with Prof. Hideki Sezutsu from the University of Tokyo, who also serves as the Research Director at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), to create genetically engineered red silk that contains the “love hormone” oxytocin.
In this podcast episode, Sputniko! discusses the beginnings and challenges of her artistic journey, explaining how science and technology have become central themes in her work. She also shares the inspiration behind her latest exhibition, “Coral Colors,” which was on display at the OIST Tunnel Gallery from November 29 to January 9.
What are the possibilities?
After studying mathematics and computer science at Imperial College London, Sputniko! was expected by her parents, both math professors, to pursue a career in mathematical sciences. However, her passion for creating technology and curiosity about its societal impact led her to enroll at the Royal College of Art instead.
Her distinctive name originated as a high school nickname, given due to her being taller than her peers and good at science. By age 25, her work had garnered significant attention, leading to invitations to exhibit at several prestigious museums.
“For me, when I go to art museums, what I love about seeing art is it gives me new ideas or gives me a new perception – ‘Whoa, I didn’t think about that way of looking at things,’ or ‘I didn’t think about that viewpoint,’ she reflected. “I would like my work to make people wonder or think about the possibilities or meaning of the universe, or maybe where human society could be heading towards.”
Transforming research into visual stories
Now a professor at Tokyo University of the Arts and OIST’s first Visiting Artist, Sputniko! is presenting her new exhibition titled “Coral Colors.” The installation uses data visualization to show temperature changes and their impact on coral health over time, aiming to raise awareness about the effects of increasing global temperatures on marine ecosystems.
Coral Colors includes a collection of prints and videos representing coral and reflecting coral bleaching rates in Okinawa. Data used included temperature data collected over 124 years from the Japan Meteorological Agency, to highlight the association between increasing sea temperatures and coral bleaching – a process where corals release their symbiotic algae due to stress.
“If you look at the [exhibition] video, …there’s a number from the 1900s and it’s counting up to 2024, and as the year goes on you can see the colors really changing a lot and that’s all reflecting the temperature data, and especially around 2000s the temperature rise really speeds up. Everything is visualized, so you can see the bleaching happening at much faster speeds after the 2000s,” Sputniko! explained.
OIST’s first on-chain generative artwork, Coral Colors, will be available to purchase on Artblocks. Proceeds from the sale will directly support OIST’s research programs.
On December 7, Sputniko!, together with Prof. Timothy Ravasi from OIST’s Marine Climate Change Unit and Prof. Seiichi Tsuchiya from the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, gave a public talk at the OIST auditorium. The lecture drew attention to how combining artistry and science can lead to new ways of solving modern problems, such as preserving coral reefs.
Throughout her career, Sputniko! has faced various challenges, including initial financial struggles after graduation and insecurity about not fitting into traditional career paths. There were times when she encountered skepticism from both the art and business worlds about her cross-disciplinary approach. However, she views these challenges and occasional misunderstandings as indicators of genuine innovation. Her career demonstrates a commitment to creating social change through multiple mediums, whether through art, business, or technology.
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