In Utrecht, the final touches are being made to the multitenant laboratory building Plus Ultra. This phase, which includes the installation of fixed furnishings, also involves the hanging of a large artwork in the atrium. We interviewed Vincent Mock, the artist behind the piece.
Congratulations Vincent, your work is up! What does it represent?
“The artwork represents plankton, but on an immense scale. In scientific terms, these unicellular organisms are called radiolarians. The fragility of nature starts here—at the very smallest scale. If plankton, or the microorganisms it feeds on, becomes polluted, that pollution ultimately reaches us at the top of the food chain. With this magnification, I aim to evoke a sense of wonder for nature and underscore our immense responsibility towards it. Only under a microscope do you see the intricate details of radiolarians—the near-divine intricacy of their forms. Essentially, I want to make the beauty of the invisible visible.”
The artwork arrived in two separate sections. What is it made of, and what did you do afterwards?
“It originally consisted of 122 individual components, which were glued together. These are 3D prints filled with fire-resistant foam, which also adds structural integrity. A steel cable inside provides additional strength, as does a steel support frame at the top. The surface is made of sand, finished with paint. It entered the building in two segments—one comprising two-sixths and the other four-sixths—which fit precisely through the door. We then spent nearly a week assembling it on-site, and the long spines were attached last. It now hangs relatively low, so it can be viewed from all angles.”
Congratulations Vincent, your work is up! What does it represent?
“The artwork represents plankton, but on an immense scale. In scientific terms, these unicellular organisms are called radiolarians. The fragility of nature starts here—at the very smallest scale. If plankton, or the microorganisms it feeds on, becomes polluted, that pollution ultimately reaches us at the top of the food chain. With this magnification, I aim to evoke a sense of wonder for nature and underscore our immense responsibility towards it. Only under a microscope do you see the intricate details of radiolarians—the near-divine intricacy of their forms. Essentially, I want to make the beauty of the invisible visible.”
The artwork arrived in two separate sections. What is it made of, and what did you do afterwards?
“It originally consisted of 122 individual components, which were glued together. These are 3D prints filled with fire-resistant foam, which also adds structural integrity. A steel cable inside provides additional strength, as does a steel support frame at the top. The surface is made of sand, finished with paint. It entered the building in two segments—one comprising two-sixths and the other four-sixths—which fit precisely through the door. We then spent nearly a week assembling it on-site, and the long spines were attached last. It now hangs relatively low, so it can be viewed from all angles.”