Claudia Comte
Sun Coral (nine headed hydra), 2020
Sun Coral (nine headed hydra), 2020
Photo: Roman März | Comte Studio
TBA21–Academy
Commissions
Collection
Dogwood
106.5 x 29 x 25.5 cm
Commissioned by TBA21–Academy and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary
In March-April 2019, Claudia Comte was invited by TBA21–Academy to undertake a six-week residency at the Alligator Head Foundation in Portland, Jamaica. Established by TBA21–Academy and the University of the West Indies in 2016, the foundation brings together scientists and artists to think innovatively about the future of the ocean’s ecosystems and “strengthen national, regional, and global policy for ecosystem resilience and adaptation to climate change.”
Inspired by her earlier participation in Chus Martinez’s 2018 research trip to the North Islands in New Zealand, Spheric Ocean, Comte produced two groups of sculptures that engage with concerns to conserve marine life through coral and mangrove restoration. A group of coral forms set to be exhibited to viewers on land seeks to draw attention to issues of environmental sustainability and raise awareness of the work being done by researchers at the Alligator Head Foundation to protect Portland’s coastline and diverse habitats. Another group of sculptures, made in Comte’s signature style to resemble cacti, have been installed on the ocean floor of East Portland’s Fish Sanctuary, and provide a habitable surface that the artist and researchers at the foundation hope will support coral growth, simultaneously providing an attraction for tourists and the region’s divers who will be able to witness their transformation over time. The work is part of an ongoing conversation at TBA21–Academy that tries to utilize concepts in the art to support marine conservation and climate activism, and publicize the urgency of these issues to the public through artistic platforms and media. –Elsa Gray
106.5 x 29 x 25.5 cm
Commissioned by TBA21–Academy and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary
In March-April 2019, Claudia Comte was invited by TBA21–Academy to undertake a six-week residency at the Alligator Head Foundation in Portland, Jamaica. Established by TBA21–Academy and the University of the West Indies in 2016, the foundation brings together scientists and artists to think innovatively about the future of the ocean’s ecosystems and “strengthen national, regional, and global policy for ecosystem resilience and adaptation to climate change.”
Inspired by her earlier participation in Chus Martinez’s 2018 research trip to the North Islands in New Zealand, Spheric Ocean, Comte produced two groups of sculptures that engage with concerns to conserve marine life through coral and mangrove restoration. A group of coral forms set to be exhibited to viewers on land seeks to draw attention to issues of environmental sustainability and raise awareness of the work being done by researchers at the Alligator Head Foundation to protect Portland’s coastline and diverse habitats. Another group of sculptures, made in Comte’s signature style to resemble cacti, have been installed on the ocean floor of East Portland’s Fish Sanctuary, and provide a habitable surface that the artist and researchers at the foundation hope will support coral growth, simultaneously providing an attraction for tourists and the region’s divers who will be able to witness their transformation over time. The work is part of an ongoing conversation at TBA21–Academy that tries to utilize concepts in the art to support marine conservation and climate activism, and publicize the urgency of these issues to the public through artistic platforms and media. –Elsa Gray
As part of our commitment to regenerative practices, we have partnered with UreCulture to undertake a series of in-depth case studies examining the ecological and social impact of our collections and the commissioning processes behind them—both regenerative and challenging. These findings are consolidated in the Ecological and Social Impact of the TBA21 Collection reports.
This initiative represents our dedication to transparency and self-reflection, as we seek to honestly evaluate our practices. The results highlight the positive contributions of these artistic endeavors while shedding light on areas for improvement to further reduce our ecological footprint.
The inaugural study focuses on the life cycle of Claudia Comte’s artworks within the TBA21 Collection. Claudia’s collaboration with TBA21 began in 2018 during the TBA21–Academy expedition to New Zealand, The Current II, led by Chus Martínez. This journey culminated in the exhibitions After Nature in Madrid and Underwater Cacti in Jamaica, and included a residency at the Alligator Head Foundation in Jamaica. This ocean conservation hub, a scientific partner of TBA21–Academy, deeply influenced Claudia’s Underwater Cacti project, inspired by the foundation’s coral regeneration program.
Comte’s artistic practice delves into the history and memory of biomorphic forms, blending traditional handcrafting techniques with industrial machine processes. Her installations center around monumental wall paintings and sculptural series that draw inspiration from organic patterns and morphologies such as waves, sonar, rock strata, cacti, and coral reefs.
Case Study: Claudia Comte
This initiative represents our dedication to transparency and self-reflection, as we seek to honestly evaluate our practices. The results highlight the positive contributions of these artistic endeavors while shedding light on areas for improvement to further reduce our ecological footprint.
The inaugural study focuses on the life cycle of Claudia Comte’s artworks within the TBA21 Collection. Claudia’s collaboration with TBA21 began in 2018 during the TBA21–Academy expedition to New Zealand, The Current II, led by Chus Martínez. This journey culminated in the exhibitions After Nature in Madrid and Underwater Cacti in Jamaica, and included a residency at the Alligator Head Foundation in Jamaica. This ocean conservation hub, a scientific partner of TBA21–Academy, deeply influenced Claudia’s Underwater Cacti project, inspired by the foundation’s coral regeneration program.
Comte’s artistic practice delves into the history and memory of biomorphic forms, blending traditional handcrafting techniques with industrial machine processes. Her installations center around monumental wall paintings and sculptural series that draw inspiration from organic patterns and morphologies such as waves, sonar, rock strata, cacti, and coral reefs.
Case Study: Claudia Comte