Dana-Fiona Armour's Serpentine Currents Installation Opens at Somerset House
Dana-Fiona Armour (born 1988) will showcase her installation, Serpentine Currents – Fragments of a Changing Future, at Somerset House in London from 19 February to 26 April 2026. This expansive public artwork features a three-part sculpture inspired by a 3D scan of an endangered sea snake species, transforming the courtyard. The installation incorporates LED lights and fountain dynamics that react to 50 years of historical and projected ocean data from the British coastline, illustrating the effects of rising sea temperatures and reduced salinity. Armour aims to convert intricate biological and technological concepts into sensory experiences through collaboration with scientists, a pursuit that began during her residency at the Natural History Museum in Paris. Her work, which envisions a future where sea snakes could thrive in UK waters due to climate change, is informed by data from CEFAS (Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences) and involves partnerships with CNRS and the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris, ensuring scientific integrity. The installation seeks to enhance awareness of marine ecosystems and promote environmental stewardship through immersive light and movement.
Key facts
- Dana-Fiona Armour's installation Serpentine Currents opens at Somerset House on 19 February 2026
- The sculpture is based on a 3D scan of an endangered sea snake species
- LED lights react to 50 years of ocean data from the British coastline
- The work visualizes rising sea temperatures and decreasing salinity
- Armour collaborated with scientists from CNRS and the Natural History Museum in Paris
- Data was sourced from CEFAS (Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences)
- The installation runs until 26 April 2026 at Somerset House in London
- Armour describes her practice as translating complex systems into sensory experiences
Entities
Artists
- Dana-Fiona Armour
- Emma Jacob
Institutions
- Somerset House
- Natural History Museum
- CNRS
- Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle
- CEFAS
- Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences
- Aesthetica Magazine
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- France