Living Data
Krill dance
Krill dance 2013
Data (krill): Australian Antarctic Division
Music: Sophie Green
Dance, animation, cinematography, editing: Lisa Roberts
Executive producer: Ken Wilson
We measure the chemistry of air in bubbles trapped in ice cores. The concentration of carbon dioxide is now higher than at any other time in the last 850,000 years. We know that absolutely for a fact because we can measure the trapped bubbles in the ice.
Dominic Hodgson, Cambridge, UK 2008
Here I dance with Antarctic krill - Euphausia superba. And here I trace the mating dance of krillas first observed on the sea floor of Antarctica. And here are scientific and arts journal publications AND a theatrical performance about it:
As you can see, the language of academia is measured. The language of the arts, on the other hand, knows no bounds. This video appeals to you to identify with this important critter.
Why care about krill? They are KEY to the marine food web, and because we use resources from the sea, that affects us. Acidification threatens krill and acidification occurs in cooler water such as that in Antarctica. Krill are also beautiful, playful creatures, with individual and group behaviours. Like us they have relationships, with each other and the environment. Like us, their behaviour impacts on the global system that supports Life.
