Pierre Huyghe
2017
Aquarium, Astyanax Mexicanus (eyeless and with eyes), algae, cave scan cast in concrete, black switchable glass, geo-localized program
137 × 123 × 164 cm
Winsing Arts Collection

Pierre Huyghe
2017
Aquarium, Astyanax Mexicanus (eyeless and with eyes), algae, cave scan cast in concrete, black switchable glass, geo-localized program
137 × 123 × 164 cm
Winsing Arts Collection
From the artist's series of aquarium works, Circadian Dilemma (El Día del Ojo) features a unique landscape—a replica of a Mexican underwater cave scanned by the artist. Millions of years ago, tetra fish ventured into these caves and, over time, gradually lost their ability to see. Although their vision gene was deactivated, they still retain their eyes. Their internal clocks also shifted, resulting in longer circadian rhythms. In this tank, all the fish are blind, except for one of the same species that can still see.
The tank is made with liquid crystals which can be either transparent or opaque. A program based on outside data related to local climatic conditions (variables such as temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, visibility, etc.) determines whether the glass panes are switched to opaque or to transparent. The aquarium is geo-localized. Depending on where the tank is placed and the conditions around it, the glass adjusts to let light in or keep it out, affecting visibility from both sides. From an evolutionary perspective, the fish's vision might be lost or regained over time.
