Annalisa Vobis

MFA, California College Of The Arts, San Francisco, California
B.A. in Sculpture, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California

Transcience

Transcience mimics the transformation of convoluted algae systems into calcified phenomena using natural and artificial materials (installation at the Art Gallery of St. Albert, Alberta, Canada).
 

Cal-ci-fied

Cal-ci-fied is an ongoing investigation, a mixture of studio/lab and Natural Science Museum. The exhibit consists of six related environmental theme parts. Especially the impact of rising acid levels in the Oceans is explored. It begins with the presentation of Anneliese’s studio - lab space where research and experimentation melts together to reflect on personal experiences at the Bodega Marine Laboratory. The hanging algae installation Endlos (German for "endless") focuses on the endless variety of algae species. They are the inventors of the photosynthetic calcification processes. A slide projection in the darkened room brings the audience deep down to the bottom of the sea. There Radiolarian Ooze constantly forms new sedimentary rocks. The slide material focus on the calcification processes of Mono Lake. Stromatolite structures and the formations in Mono Lake inspired the ongoing large-scale knitting project Second Nature on the floor. The underlying concept is the reflection of coral bleaching – the result of rising acid levels in the sea. The wooden assemblages Neues Leben ("new life") references different recycling strategies. Zerbrechlichkeit ("fragility") is a illuminated floating paper installation that confronts us with an apocalyptic situation - the de-calcification of the shell animals in the future. The artworks are created as places for discussions and the search for future environmental solutions. Can we stop the rising of the acid levels in our oceans?

36 Below

The installation explores a theme based on the recent dioxin scandal in Europe. Contaminated food reached animals and consumers - beef, eggs and other products contained unhealthy ingredients. Like a shock wave it alarmed and scared everybody.

Werdau Project

While the process of crystallization is a metaphor for transformative, mental processes, Werdau Project is a site-specific space of memory about the communist times in eastern Germany. It focuses on social landscapes during the time of the iron curtain. constant awareness of growing fears could be found all over the place. My last visit in Werdau resulted in an overwhelming set of contrasting feelings in form of love and fear.

Inner Landscapes

"Inspired by Love," a novel by the French writer Stendhal, this exhibition takes the crystallization process as starting point. Crystallization describes a mental metamorphosis in which unattractive characteristics of a new love are transformed into perceptional crystals. According to Stendhal, crystallization is that action of the mind that discovers purity and perfection in its beloved at every turn of event.

Second Nature (aka Coral Bleaching)

  (Detail)

Red Tides

(Detail)

20" x 48" x 2"; acrylic felt; 2005

Memories to Marine Biology studies about blooming algae.

Symbiosis

 (Detail)

Checkmate

(Detail)

Dancing Worms (aka Annelids)

Worm grunting is the method of attracting worms from the ground. A wooden stake and a roping iron is used to produce musical vibrations of the soil. The worms can't resist and appear on the ground.