Taiwanese Designer Shows How Local Natural Attraction Has a Heavy Price

Any traveller going the small Taiwanese island of Matsu will be able to see a fascinating new phenomenon. Ever since 2012 small bioluminescent algae started blooming and sparkling blue light in the surrounding waters, creating a natural spectacle of nature.

However what most tourists heading to see this phenomenon may not know is that, this is not a natural phenomenon, but an effect of pollution.

This beautiful algae named Dinoflagellates is actually a product of global warming and pollution from China, which is closer to Matsu than Taiwan. This species is normally more present in tropical areas in warmer water, and the amonia it produces not only kills marine life, but also causes allergies to humans.

This change in the island’s eco-system lead Island Chen, a local designer studying Industrial Design at London University of Arts, to create The Blue Island Project.

https://vimeo.com/132576923

Planned as a bio-digital installation to be placed in the island, the project aims to raise awareness by the effects of pollution on nature eco-systems, by creating its own eco-system of algae.

Using agricultural waste as food, the art piece will include a mirror to redirect the sun light and demonstrate to onlookers the natural process that creates this amazing night light show, without any impact in the local environment.