(headphones recommended)

slowth (habitats)

2020
sound, offcut fabric, hand-embroidery on secondhand fabric, fabric and garment with photosynthetic coating, cables, biodegradable packaging, grow light, USB charger

slowth (habitats) takes the symbiotic relationship between sloths, sloth moths and the algae Trichophilus welckeri as its point of departure. Sloths spend most of their time on their favourite tree, but a three-toed sloth will descend its tree weekly to defecate on the ground, which is risky and energetically costly. (1) By doing so, it brings the moths living in its fur to lay eggs in its dung, which helps generations of moths to hatch and keep inhabiting its fur. This in turn creates a rich environment for the Trichophilus welckeri to grow in the sloth’s hair. The algae provide camouflage and become a source of nutrients for this animal with a limited diet. It is possible that they have coevolved through this relationship. How to imagine symbiotic tenderness beyond time and speed?

(1) Pauli JN, Mendoza JE, Steffan SA, Carey CC, Weimer PJ, Peery MZ. 2014 A syndrome of mutualism reinforces the lifestyle of a sloth. Proc. R. Soc. B

Collaborators/companions: Post Carbon Lab for photosynthetic coating, Giuseppe Termine for soundscape, Ted Targett for accompanying text

Photo: Hertta Kiiski (except 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24)

Supported by Titanik Artist in Residence Programme, Turku, Finland and Arts Council Korea