OVERVIEW
World War III is an environmental installation featuring UV-reactive mosquitoes in a controlled and safe environment, aiming to evoke a complex emotional response. The initial experience is intended to be one of wonder and euphoria; the sight of the glowing insects in flight is captivating and initially pleasurable. This positive feeling, however, is deliberately undermined. As the mosquitoes naturally interact with the public – landing on skin, buzzing around faces – a sense of unease and even revulsion begins to creep in. The initial delight transforms into a growing discomfort: the work plays on this dissonance, forcing the viewer to confront the unsettling potential lurking beneath the surface of an aestetic enginereed to trigger wonder and dopamine release. The overall effect is a potent blend of fascination and anxiety.
World War III mimics a biological warfare scenario, where an unseen institution attempts to physically intrude upon the bodies of the public. This paradoxical and unsettling experience serves as a metaphor for the insidious erosion of democracy into plutocracy, driven by corporate interests exploiting a global debt crisis—a staggering $313 trillion, exceeding global GDP by 3.3 times.
The artwork critiques how unchecked financial systems, seemingly autonomous, dictate human behavior globally, diminishing political influence and raising ethical concerns about manipulating life itself, mirroring the pervasive power of corporate control within an addictive entertainement framework.
CONCEPT
This site-specific installation explores the intertwined themes of biopolitics* and corruption. Financial leverage intersects with genetic manipulation in the age of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, transforming the exhibition space into an ambiguous and unsettling "biohazard-transgenic-wonderland."
*Biopolitics investigates how political power intersects with biological life, shaping the bodies, behaviors, and well-being of populations through diverse strategies and controls. Its concept was introduced by French philosopher Michel Foucault in the mid-20th century.
SAFETY AND ETHICS
* The UV coloration is harmless to the mosquitoes, which are not genetically modified.
* The project raises ethical questions about the manipulation of living organisms and the implications of such interactions on human bodies.
TECHNICAL FEATURES / DISPLAY
This environmental installation will occupy either an existing room or a see-trough structure built within a larger room. A "membrane" entrance will control access, preventing mosquitoes from escaping the designated space. The installation will feature the life cycle of mosquitoes, culminating in their preservation. Once the insects have completed their life cycle, they will be immersed in a specialized amber-like liquid and displayed on walls and pedestals. These displays will be arranged in formations reminiscent of military platoons or air force squadrons, evoking a sense of regimented order and controlled proliferation, ironically juxtaposed with the chaotic nature of mosquito populations.
The installation will incorporate a sophisticated environmental control system to maintain optimal conditions for mosquito development. This includes precise temperature and humidity regulation, along with a carefully managed light cycle to simulate natural conditions. The "membrane" entrance will utilize a high-efficiency filtration system to prevent mosquito egress while allowing for safe human passage. The amber-like preservation liquid will be a custom-formulated resin, designed for optimal clarity, longevity, and minimal distortion of the specimens. The display structures will be constructed from inert materials to prevent any degradation of the specimens or the resin. Finally, low-level lighting will be employed to minimize UV degradation of the specimens and to enhance their visual impact. Data logging systems will monitor environmental parameters and specimen condition throughout the installation's duration.
MOSQUITOES
Mosquitoes are the quintessential survivors of evolution: although nearly fifty percent do not survive their first day of life there are an estimated 100 trillion mosquitoes worldwide, grouped into 3,500 species. Despite their tiny size, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world to humans due to a number of diseases that infected females unwittingly transmit through their saliva, including malaria, West Nile virus, Zika, yellow fever, dengue and various forms of encephalitis.
Around one million people die each year as a result, and around half the world’s population is at risk of infection.
The vast majority of these cases occur in the so-called global south, but as the ecological crisis progresses, mosquitoes carrying the disease are starting to spread to European and North American countries. While this is indeed a serious issue and threat, Western news coverage often takes on sensationalist tendencies and rhetoric that uses terms like ‘invasion’ to describe both human and non-human migration.
THE WORLD MOSQUITO PROGRAM (WMP)
funded by entities including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to combat diseases like dengue and Zika by releasing millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in urban areas, primarily in South America and Asia. These mosquitoes are infected with the Wolbachia bacterium, which reduces their ability to transmit viruses or reproduce effectively. Despite initial promising results, such as a reported 94-97% reduction in dengue incidence in treated Colombian cities, there has been an unprecedented surge in dengue cases across the Americas and some Asian countries. This raises questions about the program’s effectiveness and potential unintended consequences.
In Brazil alone, dengue infections reached a record high of over 2.5 million cases by April 2024, with 923 deaths. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that South America is experiencing its worst dengue epidemic ever, with a significant increase in infection rates compared to previous years. While there is no direct correlation between the release of genetically modified mosquitoes and the rise in dengue cases, independent studies are needed to fully understand the impact of these interventions. Concerns have also been raised about possible unforeseen effects on mosquito populations and disease transmission dynamics.
Parallel efforts include Oxitec’s genetically modified mosquito program and DARPA’s “Insect Allies” project aimed at protecting agriculture through genetic modifications. However, these initiatives face scrutiny due to potential risks associated with genetic manipulation and its implications for human health and environmental stability. Critics argue that without thorough regulation and public debate, such technologies could lead to unintended harmful consequences or even be repurposed for biological warfare. The need for independent research and careful consideration of ethical implications is emphasized to ensure that these scientific advancements do not backfire on humanity.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
World War III aims to expose the consequences of these macro-dynamics by unveiling what could be considered a Third World War: a "silent" and "entertaining" war—a conflict rendered invisible through overexposure and deception. In this war, entertainment functions as a form of brainwashing, manipulating collective consciousness to fuel mass consumption that prioritizes the superfluous over the essential. War, therefore, transcends Clausewitz's dictum of being "the continuation of politics by other means," becoming the very essence of politics itself. This aligns with Sun Tzu's strategic principle of subduing the enemy without resorting to destruction, highlighting the insidious nature of this pervasive, consumer-driven conflict.
TECHNOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Genetic technologies and advanced artificial intelligence hold immense potential to transform society, yet their power can be challenging to regulate. The distinction between a groundbreaking advancement in human understanding and a path toward extinction is alarmingly fragile. This precarious balance highlights the pressing need for vigilance and ethical considerations in the development and implementation of these technologies.
Transgenic-mosquito-larvae
CURRENT CONTEXT
In 2024, world debt exceeded the world’s GDP by 3.3 times ($313 trillion). Through financial leverage and debt speculation, for every single dollar or euro earned globally, finance has created and spent 3.3. This economic reality reflects a political landscape where capitalism places income and property at the center of constitutional protection, effectively transforming democracy into oligarchy.
From an anthropological perspective, it appears that money has begun to dictate human behavior rather than merely serving as a tool for human management. This inversion of control suggests that financial systems have acquired a degree of autonomy, shaping societal structures and influencing individual actions in ways that often elude conscious awareness and regulation.
The influence of politics on economic and social life has significantly diminished, overshadowed by the power of global financial markets. These markets, driven by complex, high-frequency trading algorithms operating at incomprehensible speeds, and by the unrestricted flow of capital across borders, largely disregard national political contexts.
This transformation raises critical questions about sovereignty and governance. If politics has become merely an executor of market imperatives—prioritizing capital accumulation over democratic accountability—what does this mean for the future of society? The displacement of political agency by financial logic suggests a shift towards plutocracy, where wealth concentration undermines egalitarian principles. There is an urgent need to reimagine political frameworks that can reclaim agency from market forces and restore balance between economic efficiency and social equity.
METAPHORICAL FRAMEWORK
World War III metaphorically addresses how private interests and corporations, through lobbying and funding political parties, are transforming democracy into oligarchy. This dynamic allows them to exploit public resources, invade habitats, and infringe upon individual rights through technology control.
IMPACT & CALL TO ACTION
This environmental installation aims to raise awareness about the criticality of our current political structures and the delicate relationship between humans and the environment. It challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of sovereignty, power dynamics, and ecological sustainability.
Malaria Parasite Connecting to Human Red Blood Cell
Jacopo Mazzetti
World War III
2006/2009
Environmental installation
Unrealized project
OVERVIEW
World War III is an environmental installation featuring UV-reactive mosquitoes in a controlled and safe environment, aiming to evoke a complex emotional response. The initial experience is intended to be one of wonder and euphoria; the sight of the glowing insects in flight is captivating and initially pleasurable. This positive feeling, however, is deliberately undermined. As the mosquitoes naturally interact with the public – landing on skin, buzzing around faces – a sense of unease and even revulsion begins to creep in. The initial delight transforms into a growing discomfort: the work plays on this dissonance, forcing the viewer to confront the unsettling potential lurking beneath the surface of an aestetic enginereed to trigger wonder and dopamine release. The overall effect is a potent blend of fascination and anxiety.
World War III mimics a biological warfare scenario, where an unseen institution attempts to physically intrude upon the bodies of the public. This paradoxical and unsettling experience serves as a metaphor for the insidious erosion of democracy into plutocracy, driven by corporate interests exploiting a global debt crisis—a staggering $313 trillion, exceeding global GDP by 3.3 times.
The artwork critiques how unchecked financial systems, seemingly autonomous, dictate human behavior globally, diminishing political influence and raising ethical concerns about manipulating life itself, mirroring the pervasive power of corporate control within an addictive entertainement framework.
CONCEPT
This site-specific installation explores the intertwined themes of biopolitics* and corruption. Financial leverage intersects with genetic manipulation in the age of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, transforming the exhibition space into an ambiguous and unsettling "biohazard-transgenic-wonderland."
*Biopolitics investigates how political power intersects with biological life, shaping the bodies, behaviors, and well-being of populations through diverse strategies and controls. Its concept was introduced by French philosopher Michel Foucault in the mid-20th century.
SAFETY AND ETHICS
* The UV coloration is harmless to the mosquitoes, which are not genetically modified.
* The project raises ethical questions about the manipulation of living organisms and the implications of such interactions on human bodies.
TECHNICAL FEATURES / DISPLAY
This environmental installation will occupy either an existing room or a see-trough structure built within a larger room. A "membrane" entrance will control access, preventing mosquitoes from escaping the designated space. The installation will feature the life cycle of mosquitoes, culminating in their preservation. Once the insects have completed their life cycle, they will be immersed in a specialized amber-like liquid and displayed on walls and pedestals. These displays will be arranged in formations reminiscent of military platoons or air force squadrons, evoking a sense of regimented order and controlled proliferation, ironically juxtaposed with the chaotic nature of mosquito populations.
The installation will incorporate a sophisticated environmental control system to maintain optimal conditions for mosquito development. This includes precise temperature and humidity regulation, along with a carefully managed light cycle to simulate natural conditions. The "membrane" entrance will utilize a high-efficiency filtration system to prevent mosquito egress while allowing for safe human passage. The amber-like preservation liquid will be a custom-formulated resin, designed for optimal clarity, longevity, and minimal distortion of the specimens. The display structures will be constructed from inert materials to prevent any degradation of the specimens or the resin. Finally, low-level lighting will be employed to minimize UV degradation of the specimens and to enhance their visual impact. Data logging systems will monitor environmental parameters and specimen condition throughout the installation's duration.
MOSQUITOES
Mosquitoes are the quintessential survivors of evolution: although nearly fifty percent do not survive their first day of life there are an estimated 100 trillion mosquitoes worldwide, grouped into 3,500 species. Despite their tiny size, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world to humans due to a number of diseases that infected females unwittingly transmit through their saliva, including malaria, West Nile virus, Zika, yellow fever, dengue and various forms of encephalitis.
Around one million people die each year as a result, and around half the world’s population is at risk of infection.
The vast majority of these cases occur in the so-called global south, but as the ecological crisis progresses, mosquitoes carrying the disease are starting to spread to European and North American countries. While this is indeed a serious issue and threat, Western news coverage often takes on sensationalist tendencies and rhetoric that uses terms like ‘invasion’ to describe both human and non-human migration.
THE WORLD MOSQUITO PROGRAM (WMP)
funded by entities including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to combat diseases like dengue and Zika by releasing millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in urban areas, primarily in South America and Asia. These mosquitoes are infected with the Wolbachia bacterium, which reduces their ability to transmit viruses or reproduce effectively. Despite initial promising results, such as a reported 94-97% reduction in dengue incidence in treated Colombian cities, there has been an unprecedented surge in dengue cases across the Americas and some Asian countries. This raises questions about the program’s effectiveness and potential unintended consequences.
In Brazil alone, dengue infections reached a record high of over 2.5 million cases by April 2024, with 923 deaths. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that South America is experiencing its worst dengue epidemic ever, with a significant increase in infection rates compared to previous years. While there is no direct correlation between the release of genetically modified mosquitoes and the rise in dengue cases, independent studies are needed to fully understand the impact of these interventions. Concerns have also been raised about possible unforeseen effects on mosquito populations and disease transmission dynamics.
Parallel efforts include Oxitec’s genetically modified mosquito program and DARPA’s “Insect Allies” project aimed at protecting agriculture through genetic modifications. However, these initiatives face scrutiny due to potential risks associated with genetic manipulation and its implications for human health and environmental stability. Critics argue that without thorough regulation and public debate, such technologies could lead to unintended harmful consequences or even be repurposed for biological warfare. The need for independent research and careful consideration of ethical implications is emphasized to ensure that these scientific advancements do not backfire on humanity.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
World War III aims to expose the consequences of these macro-dynamics by unveiling what could be considered a Third World War: a "silent" and "entertaining" war—a conflict rendered invisible through overexposure and deception. In this war, entertainment functions as a form of brainwashing, manipulating collective consciousness to fuel mass consumption that prioritizes the superfluous over the essential. War, therefore, transcends Clausewitz's dictum of being "the continuation of politics by other means," becoming the very essence of politics itself. This aligns with Sun Tzu's strategic principle of subduing the enemy without resorting to destruction, highlighting the insidious nature of this pervasive, consumer-driven conflict.
TECHNOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Genetic technologies and advanced artificial intelligence hold immense potential to transform society, yet their power can be challenging to regulate. The distinction between a groundbreaking advancement in human understanding and a path toward extinction is alarmingly fragile. This precarious balance highlights the pressing need for vigilance and ethical considerations in the development and implementation of these technologies.
Transgenic-mosquito-larvae
CURRENT CONTEXT
In 2024, world debt exceeded the world’s GDP by 3.3 times ($313 trillion). Through financial leverage and debt speculation, for every single dollar or euro earned globally, finance has created and spent 3.3. This economic reality reflects a political landscape where capitalism places income and property at the center of constitutional protection, effectively transforming democracy into oligarchy.
From an anthropological perspective, it appears that money has begun to dictate human behavior rather than merely serving as a tool for human management. This inversion of control suggests that financial systems have acquired a degree of autonomy, shaping societal structures and influencing individual actions in ways that often elude conscious awareness and regulation.
The influence of politics on economic and social life has significantly diminished, overshadowed by the power of global financial markets. These markets, driven by complex, high-frequency trading algorithms operating at incomprehensible speeds, and by the unrestricted flow of capital across borders, largely disregard national political contexts.
This transformation raises critical questions about sovereignty and governance. If politics has become merely an executor of market imperatives—prioritizing capital accumulation over democratic accountability—what does this mean for the future of society? The displacement of political agency by financial logic suggests a shift towards plutocracy, where wealth concentration undermines egalitarian principles. There is an urgent need to reimagine political frameworks that can reclaim agency from market forces and restore balance between economic efficiency and social equity.
METAPHORICAL FRAMEWORK
World War III metaphorically addresses how private interests and corporations, through lobbying and funding political parties, are transforming democracy into oligarchy. This dynamic allows them to exploit public resources, invade habitats, and infringe upon individual rights through technology control.
IMPACT & CALL TO ACTION
This environmental installation aims to raise awareness about the criticality of our current political structures and the delicate relationship between humans and the environment. It challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of sovereignty, power dynamics, and ecological sustainability.
Malaria Parasite Connecting to Human Red Blood Cell
Jacopo Mazzetti
World War III
2006/2009
Environmental installation
Unrealized project