Blue Blood

glass, steel, water, oil, vinyl

45 x 12 x 12 in

(114 x 30 x 30 cm) x3

2022

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"Blue Blood" is an immersive installation focusing on the Atlantic horseshoe crab's deadly yet often overlooked role in biomedical research. This piece highlights the delicate balance between scientific advancement and natural conservation.
 

Central to the installation are two cylindrical tubes, each standing nearly 5 feet tall, mirroring the human figure in scale. These tubes are filled with bright blue liquid and equipped with pumps that activate alternately every 8 minutes. This cycle is significant; it represents the average time taken to extract blood from a horseshoe crab, a process critical to medical research for its unique properties. The visual of one tube settling while the other comes to life creates a rhythmic, living sculpture that embodies the life force of these creatures and the cyclical nature of their interaction with human technology.
 

An iPad, part of the installation displays instructions on how to bleed a horseshoe crab. These guidelines, sourced from the NIH National Library of Medicine, provide a stark, clinical contrast to the organic flow of the installation, reminding viewers of the scientific underpinnings of this interaction between species.
 

The additional soundscape is a carefully curated collection of sounds ranging from dripping to gushing, representing the act of bleeding a horseshoe crab. 
 

Completing the installation is a comprehensive research paper that delves into my extensive investigation into the Atlantic horseshoe crab. This document explores the crab's vital role at the intersection of political, cultural, and biomedical spheres, emphasizing its contribution to science through its blue blood. With citations and detailed analysis, the paper serves as both an educational resource and a narrative extension of the installation, inviting viewers to engage deeply with the subject matter.