By using the modern molecular biotechnology, genes involving in the bioluminescence was isolated from the extant fireflies, then based on their DNA sequences, its ancestral sequence was reconstructed using inferential computer calculation, and finally Luciferase gene of the ancient fireflies that glow green was restored. The ancestral Luciferase is mixed with Luciferin and oxygen to generate ancient luminescence. This installation view of the myriad green glows in motion in the dark represents "Umwelt", the world which might have fascinated the small feathered dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period.
In the fore-room of the dark installation space, molecular models of Luciferin and Luciferase, CT scan images of fireflies, research papers on firefly bioluminescence, pinned specimens, old lithographs, ukiyoe prints and picture books depicting fireflies, and a narrative poetry describing "Umwelt" of feathered dinosaurs are displayed to support the installation from the perspective of knowledge of science and culture inspired by fireflies.
Deleuze & Guattari wrote in their book "Quʼest ce que la philosophie?" that "Perhaps, art begins with the animal". They also said that Scenopoetes dentirostris, a bird of the Australian rain forests, cut leaves, makes them fall to the ground to constructs a stage, and it sings a complex song, itʼs a complete artist. From their thought, developed with reference to Darwin and Uexküll, I considered that the surplus of the sexual instincts of animals, born out of the chaos of the universe, became the origin of art. Not only birds and fish but also insects engage in courtship behavior. In the case of fireflies, it appears as their blinking glows. "Ritornello"(refrain) of light that takes place in the territory of fireflies is the wondrous spectacle of their courtship behaviors. "Ritornello" brings harmony to nature. In search of the origin of art, the flickering green glows of fireflies 100 million years ago were reproduced as an art installation in the dark exhibition space.

Credits

Nelo Akamatsu: artwork production
Professor Dr. Yuichi Oba: academic research

Support

Chubu University Department of Environmental Biology Luminous Organisms Lab.
Yuji Makino (curator of Takamatsu Art Museum)

Biography

Yuichi Oba
Born in Sapporo, Japan. He received his PhD in Molecular Biomechanics from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan (1996). From 2019, he is a Professor at Chubu University, and Head PI of Luminous Organisms Lab in Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu Univ, where his group investigated all aspects in bioluminescent organisms.