Water, climate change, and sustainability are the central themes of an important new exhibition that will open to the public today at The Substation in Dublin Port.
“Undercurrent: As Below, So Above” brings together the work of three prominent contemporary artists, Kat Austen, Lauren Moffatt, and Siobhán McDonald. Each artist uses advanced technologies to explore water systems, climate resilience, and the future of our coastal ecologies.
The exhibition includes interactive art pieces that address the issue of marine microplastic pollution, an immersive digital exploration of the ocean floor, and multimedia works that examine rising sea levels.
Each artist created their own body of work during their respective residencies in Galway, Belfast, and Dublin Port, facilitated by ADAPT Research Centre and Beta Festival. The event is supported by the European Commission S+T+ART4WaterII (Science + Technology +Arts), a major European Union initiative that fosters collaboration between artists, scientists and technologists to tackle water sustainability challenges.
The three artists had elements of their work shown at the UN Ocean Conference and Love Tomorrow festival earlier this year and now the three artists’ work will be shown together for the first time for this landmark exhibition at Dublin port as part of this year’s Beta festival of art and technology.
At the exhibition’s launch, Beta festival curator Aisling Murray encouraged members of the public to come and be inspired:
“We are truly honoured to put on this groundbreaking exhibition as a part of this year’s Beta festival. The exhibition brings together three distinct bodies of work for the first time, from wetlands to rising seas and speculative reefs formed from industrial debris, their artist visions are truly inspiring. Each project uses technologies from AI and immersive VR to environmental sensing. The exhibition exemplifies how art and research can converge to inspire new modes of thinking and innovation around sustainability, data, and technology.”
Elsewhere at the Beta Festival, visitors can try out the Virtual Reality Notre-Dame Experience, which offers a unique opportunity to explore the cathedral, including areas that are not accessible to the public. Additionally, a Local Artists Network strand is dedicated to showcasing innovative works by some of Ireland’s most exciting artists utilising new technologies, including exhibitions by Caroline Mac Cathmhaoil, Istvan Lazslo, and Aoife Dunne.
As part of a collaboration with Science Week, Beta Festival will curate the closing musical performances for Luke Jerram’s spectacular installation Museum of the Moon in Merrion Square bringing together three pioneering artists whose practices bridge sound, science, and technology to explore the boundaries of perception and connection. From live coding and an Algorave to electronic blends with Jürgen Simpson and Char Stiles followed by a closing set from Elaine Mai.
The Festival’s annual conference will include a keynote from Dr. Oonagh Murphy titled “Responsible AI in the Cultural Sector,” as well as a performative lecture by Jose Luis de Vicente exploring the SOFAR channel, a deep underwater area where sound waves can travel thousands of kilometers without losing strength.
Beta, the Arts & Technology Festival, will run from November 7th to 23rd. Many of the events are free for the public. For a complete programme, visit 2025.betafestival.ie.
Undercurrent: As Below, So Above at The Substation, Dublin Port is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, 2 PM to 6 PM.