BIO-MOON LAB | Laura Benetton

Name of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)

BIO-MOON Lab
URL of a video introducing the work（under 5 minutes）

https://vimeo.com/1023688041?share=copy
Detailed explanation of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)

Bio-Moon Lab explores the potential of bioluminescent organisms to address sustainability in contemporary art through an innovative “living light” concept. The marine bacterium Vibrio Fischeri, known for its ability to emit light via quorum sensing, is at the project’s core. Unlike artificial lights, which are energy-intensive and harmful to the environment, Vibrio Fischeri offers an organic, renewable alternative. By cultivating and studying this bioluminescent bacterium, I aimed to create a sustainable light source that bridges art and ecological science.
Current lighting infrastructure relies heavily on non-renewable energy sources, contributing to carbon emissions and global warming. By investigating the natural luminescence of Vibrio Fischeri, Bio-Moon Lab advocates for a new model of energy use in art, encouraging the use of biological light instead of traditional options. This bacteria-driven light source has the potential to inspire other creators to adopt sustainable alternatives in their practices.
Through meticulous experimentation at the Grow Lab at Central Saint Martins, I designed a system that produces “Bio-Light” powered by living organisms. This allows audiences to interact directly with the light-emitting bacteria and deepen their understanding of bio-light energy. This engagement reveals the beauty of natural luminescence while educating the public on sustainable practices. Viewers gain insights into how bioluminescent organisms like Vibrio Fischeri can contribute to sustainable lighting solutions across various fields, from art installations to green architecture.The project has been well received, sparking public interest in sustainability and the potential of biological systems as eco-friendly resources. Bio-Moon Lab aspires to contribute to a shift toward environmentally responsible art practices, demonstrating that scientific research and artistic expression can merge to address pressing ecological concerns.
How does your work address the 3 P’s (for Planet, for People, for Profit) for Sustainability?

Bio-Moon Lab addresses the 3 P’s of sustainability—Planet, People, and Profit—through its innovative use of bioluminescent bacteria as an alternative to artificial light in art.

For Planet: This project prioritises environmental sustainability by harnessing Vibrio Fischeri, a bioluminescent marine bacterium, as a renewable light source, reducing reliance on traditional, energy-intensive lighting. By integrating bioluminescence into contemporary art, Bio-Moon Lab encourages the shift from artificial, pollutant-heavy light sources to ecologically sustainable options. This aligns the art world with broader ecological goals, using natural systems as a sustainable alternative.

For People: Bio-Moon Lab connects people with both art and science, inviting audiences to interact with the live bioluminescent display and witness “living light.” This experiential approach promotes awareness of sustainable practices, showing audiences that natural energy sources can be both functional and inspiring. By showcasing a new intersection of creativity and ecology, the project sparks conversations on the sustainable future of everyday energy use and empowers the community to explore ecological practices in their own work.

For Profit: Bio-Moon Lab opens economic opportunities by introducing sustainable art practices into a growing market for eco-conscious collectors, galleries, and public installations. Its bioluminescent artworks offer unique, sustainable experiences that appeal to audiences and investors who value environmental responsibility. Additionally, Bio-Moon Lab has potential for workshops and collaborations with educational and green organisations, expanding the project’s reach and impact. These initiatives position Bio-Moon Lab as a model for how sustainable practices in art can also generate profit, proving that eco-conscious art can be both creatively fulfilling and economically viable.
Keywords

#EcoArt #LivingLight #ArtScience #Microbiology #RenewableEnergy #BioDesign #GreenTechnology #OrganicLighting #EnvironmentalAwareness #MarineBiology
If you have a website for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL

https://www.laurabenetton.co.uk/biomoonlab
If you have a social media account for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL
Special Prize Question 1: "Empowering nature to create a new loop”: How does your work strengthen or support nature’s ability to capture and convert waste into valuable resources? How does your work advance industry practices by introducing nature-positive alternatives?

Bio-Moon Lab empowers nature by employing bioluminescent bacteria to create an eco-friendly light source, showcasing how biological systems can replace traditional, waste-intensive lighting. Unlike artificial lighting, which relies heavily on non-renewable resources and generates waste throughout its life cycle, bioluminescence from Vibrio Fischeri is a natural, self-sustaining process that generates light without external energy input. By cultivating this natural light, Bio-Moon Lab establishes a nature-positive alternative that not only reduces energy consumption but also demonstrates the potential of living organisms to create a closed-loop lighting system.
My work involves growing Vibrio Fischeri in a lab environment, where the bacteria’s natural ability to produce light through quorum sensing is cultivated without pollution. This setup minimises the carbon footprint of traditional lighting by eliminating the need for synthetic materials and energy-intensive manufacturing. Instead, Bio-Moon Lab’s bioluminescent system captures a natural process and turns it into a sustainable resource, offering a renewable, low-impact solution for light-based art installations.
This innovative approach introduces a new model to the art world—an industry often reliant on artificial lighting and complex installations—by integrating biology into the artistic process. This project not only raises awareness but also inspires future collaborations between art and ecological science. By shifting from artificial to organic light sources, the lab exemplifies how biological processes can inspire nature-positive solutions that align with sustainable practices.In advancing industry practices, Bio-Moon Lab serves as a proof of concept that bio-innovative solutions can reduce waste and energy use, offering pathways to sustainable practices in art, architecture, and design. Through this work, I aim to empower nature’s processes, encouraging broader adoption of eco-friendly technologies that work with, rather than against, the natural world.
Special Prize Question 2: “Regenerating ecosystems”: In what inspiring ways does your work contribute to the restoration and stabilization of natural ecosystems?

Bio-Moon Lab contributes to ecosystem regeneration by promoting bioluminescent light to inspire eco-friendly practices in art and beyond. At its core, the project channels the natural luminescence of Vibrio Fischeri bacteria to produce a sustainable bio-light. By substituting conventional lighting methods, which often rely on energy-intensive processes, Bio-Moon Lab advocates for an approach that aligns with and supports natural systems, fostering awareness of non-extractive energy alternatives.
The cultivation of Vibrio Fischeri light sources shifts attention from artificial, pollutive lighting toward organic systems that coexist with natural ecosystems. These bacteria do not demand excessive resources or produce waste, demonstrating a closed-loop process that requires minimal impact on the environment. This aligns with the principles of regenerative design, which emphasise solutions that restore rather than exhaust.
Bio-Moon Lab encourages a different mindset where living organisms can be harnessed as renewable resources, presenting a low-impact alternative with vast ecological implications. By integrating bioluminescence into art, the project not only provides a visually captivating experience but also educates audiences about the potential of biological systems in addressing environmental challenges.
Special Prize Question 3: “Education and storytelling”: How does your work make complex bioeconomy concepts accessible and engaging?

Bio-Moon Lab makes complex bio economy concepts accessible and engaging by employing art to communicate the science behind bioluminescent bacteria. By introducing Vibrio Fischeri as a renewable light source in various artworks, the project transforms scientific ideas into visual storytelling that invites audiences to engage with biological systems. This interactive format helps audiences understand how living organisms can drive sustainable practices and serve as alternatives to traditional energy resources.During exhibitions, viewers encounter bioluminescent bacteria up close, witnessing these organisms produce light without electricity or waste. The artworks make abstract bio economy concepts tangible, revealing the potential of biological resources as sustainable solutions. This connection to “living light” allows viewers to relate emotionally, transforming complex scientific principles into inspiring experiences. The storytelling approach opens a dialogue on sustainable innovation, fostering curiosity about how similar biological processes could influence fields like architecture and green design.Educational workshops complement these exhibitions, offering hands-on experiences where participants can explore microbiology techniques, learn about the life cycle of Vibrio Fischeri, and grasp the fundamentals of the bio economy. These workshops demystify bioluminescence and encourage critical thinking about the future of energy and resource management.By integrating art, science, and education, Bio-Moon Lab fosters a deeper public understanding of the bio economy, making it accessible and engaging.