Enter the Plastocene: Tamiko Thiel's Immersive Installation at MEET Center
The immersive installation 'Enter the Plastocene' by Tamiko Thiel and /p opened at MEET Center in Milan, running until February 27, 2022. The work presents a colorful ocean floor scene where plastic waste replaces marine life, and viewer interaction causes fish to turn into plastic. Thiel, a mechanical engineer and MIT graduate, has been a pioneer in technological art since the 1980s. She and her husband /p, a programmer, have collaborated since 2018. The installation highlights the responsibility of wealthy nations for the eight tons of plastic entering oceans annually, a point emphasized by curator Julie Walsh. Thiel's practice often explores identity and human impact on Earth, using AR, VR, and AI. The work was developed over six months and aims to confront viewers with their role in pollution.
Key facts
- Tamiko Thiel and /p created 'Enter the Plastocene'.
- The installation is at MEET Center, Piazza Oberdan, Milan.
- It runs until February 27, 2022.
- The work uses live feed cameras and touch pads for interaction.
- Thiel has a mechanical engineering degree from MIT.
- Thiel and /p have been married for 30 years and collaborated since 2018.
- Curator Julie Walsh emphasizes viewer responsibility.
- Eight tons of plastic enter the ocean each year.
Entities
Artists
- Tamiko Thiel
- /p
Institutions
- MEET Center
- MIT
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Oakland
- Munich
- Singapore
- United States