Enchanting artwork with a message: ‘Cinquecento Medusae’ at KOG
Since 24 March, the Kamerlingh Onnes Building of the Faculty of Law has been full of hundreds of colourful jellyfish. But behind that enchanting sight is a serious message: the exhibition symbolises the loss of biodiversity in the oceans due to climate change.
Awareness as goal
The exhibition Cinquecento Medusae (500 jellyfish) by Swiss artist Rosanna Baledda aims to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on marine life.
‘Life in the oceans is the foundation of all life on earth,’ says Baledda. ‘I am pained whenever we hurt our oceans and life in it. I wanted to create a message which supports the scientific warnings, but which is more playful and artistic.’
Jellyfish as silent witnesses
With her art, Baledda points to a striking consequence of climate change and pollution: the global proliferation of jellyfish, while other species are disappearing. ‘I chose them because they are a witness species,’ she explains.
Jellyfish are well adapted to warm, polluted oceans. They benefit from the decline of predatory fish such as sardines and herrings, caused by overfishing, and from the absence of their natural enemy, the sea turtle. The latter is threatened by stray plastic, which is often mistaken for food.
Want to admire the jellyfish for yourself and learn more about the impact of climate change on the oceans? The exhibition is on display at the KOG until mid-June.
The exhibition Cinquecento Medusae was officially opened on 24 March in the presence of dean Suzan Stoter and Fabian Grass, deputy head of mission of the Swiss embassy. The opening took place in the KOG and was organised by the Leiden University Green Office and the university's central sustainability team.
