Adriatic I: Echoes of the Abyss
Filodrammatica Gallery, Korzo 28/1, Rijeka
06 – 27 March 2025
Adriatic I: Echoes of the Abyss a project by Robertina Šebjanič will be on view as part of (UN)TAMED SEA: exhibitions and symposium exploring the sea as an ecosystem and as a resource.
‘Adriatic I: Echoes of the Abyss’ seeks to uncover the profound connections between the sea’s perceived vastness and the tangible scars left by human actions. Exploring these intersections through interdisciplinary research and storytelling calls for a deeper understanding of our shared responsibility in addressing these silent threats to life beneath the waves. The project explores the hidden environmental and geopolitical legacy of discarded chemical weapons on the ocean floor. These toxic remnants, often overlooked or ignored, pose significant threats to marine ecosystems and human health.
Building on preliminary research conducted during Robertina Šebjanič residency aboard the TARA research vessel at the Baltic Sea and continued in the frame of MADE IN Platform residency with a focus on the Kvarner region of the Adriatic Sea, this project integrates an interdisciplinary approach, combining art, science, storytelling and craftsmanship to examine the long-term effects of warfare on aquatic environments. Central to the inquiry is the disruption of marine life — whose biological functions and communication systems are altered by human-made pollutants.
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Robertina Šebjanič: Adriatic I: Echoes of the Abyss
Collaborators: reGalerija d.o.o. (tapestry/carpet), Tanja Minarik (photo, video), David Drolc (metal), Ivanka Pasalic (glassblowing)
Special thanks to: Diving Team of the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, Special Intervention Police Unit Rijeka, Special Intervention Police Unit Osijek
Production: MADE IN Platform — Oaza and Drugo more (HR), 2024/25
Co-production: Projekt Atol Institute (SI), 2024/25
Bio
Robertina Šebjanič’s work revolves around the biological, chemical, political and cultural realities of aquatic environments and explores humankind’s impact on other species and on the rights of non-human entities, while calling for strategies emphatic towards other species to be adopted. In her analysis of the theoretical framework of the Anthropocene, the artist uses the term ‘aquatocene’ and ‘aquaforming’ to refer to humans’ impact on aquatic environments.
Robertina Šebjanič (SI) based in Ljubljana. Her art – research focus is since several years into cultural, (bio)political, chemical and biological realities of aquatic environments, which serves as a starting point to investigate and tackle the philosophical questions on the intersection of art, technology and science.Her ideas and concepts are often realized in collaboration with others, through interdisciplinary and informal integration in her work. She was awarded with Honorary Mention @Prix Ars Electronica 2016, STARTS2020 and STARTS2016 nomination and nomination for the White Aphroid award. Robertina was SHAPE platform 2017 artist. 2018 she was a resident artist at Ars Electronica (EMARE / EMAP). Her art work Aurelia 1+Hz / proto viva generator (artist proof) is since 2019 part of the the BEEP Electronic Art Collection, Spain.
She exhibited / performed at solo and group exhibitions as well as in galleries and festivals: Ars electronica Linz, Kosmica festival_ Laboratorio Arte Alameda_Mexico City, La Gaîté Lyrique_ Paris, Le Cube_Paris, MONOM_ CTM Berlin, Art Laboratory Berlin, ZKM_Karlsruhe, re:publica_Berlin, Mladi Levi_Ljubljana, Centro de Cultura Digita_ Mexico City, Piksel_Bergen, OSMO/ZA_Ljubljana, Device art 5.015 at Klovičevi dvori_Zagreb, Eastern Bloc_Montreal, Eyebeam_New York, PORTIZMIR#3_ Izmir, Kiblix festival_Maribor, Spektrum_Berlin, KIKK festival_ Namur, +MSUM (Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova)_Ljubljana and more …
