Cryptographic Beings Artwork

Scanning from base to apex through a tall sculptural tower positioned centrally within a darkened industrial space, this installation by Michael Sedbon rises approximately four meters in height, consisting of stacked transparent cylindrical modules supported by metallic frameworks. Beginning at the base, a cylindrical concrete or pale gray support anchors the structure, from which emerge cables and control components that snake leftward toward a metal control box resting on the concrete floor, itself connected to additional bundled cables suggesting power and data transmission. The tower proper consists of perhaps eight to ten modular units, each featuring circular platforms with gear-like serrated edges in cool silver-gray metal, supporting transparent cylindrical chambers that appear smooth and cool to the touch like laboratory glassware. Within several chambers, living green plants are visible, their leaves suggesting fresh spring growth in tones of grass green and deeper forest green, creating organic interruption within the mechanical assembly. Positioned at intervals along the vertical structure, intense white lights emanate outward with the brilliant warmth of concentrated sunlight, three distinct light sources visible at lower, middle, and upper positions creating pools of illumination that dramatically contrast with surrounding shadow. The metallic components present polished surfaces that would feel smooth and cool, while structural elements including vertical rods, horizontal supports, and connecting hardware create a complex lattice. A vivid red cable traces along the upper portion, providing chromatic accent against the predominantly silver and gray palette. The surrounding environment reveals industrial character through tall walls featuring large gridded windows with textured glass, through which warm amber light filters from external sources, creating glowing rectangles at left and right edges. The concrete floor extends into darkness, while overhead industrial ceiling structures are barely visible. The overall atmosphere suggests a quiet laboratory or experimental greenhouse, the space filled with the implied hum of electrical systems and the silent processes of photosynthesis occurring within the illuminated chambers.

Cryptographic Beings is a Bio-Hybrid machine manipulating photosynthetic organisms through rules implemented in soft and hardware. It showcases a newly developed technology for information storage that leverages the ability of algae to perceive light. This robotic installation consists of 30 vegetal bits in the shape of glass vessels containing living organisms. Using a pair of motorized arms, the machine can expose each of the algae to light, encoding binary information in their state. Can humans design tools that are not only bio-inspired but made of, with and for living organisms?