Diogo da Cruz

Diogo da Cruz is an artist living and working between Berlin and Lisbon. His practice encompasses the creation of objects, installations, and video works that explore partially fictional scenarios rooted in socio-political concerns of the past, present, or future. Drawing on scientific references, historical documents, and specific geographic experiences, his work aims to stimulate critical reflection on the systems of knowledge that have exploited and colonized what is commonly referred to as "nature."

For the past four years, I have been developing a science fiction narrative that intertwines the myth of an underwater civilization with concerns about the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining. In collaboration with sound artist Fallon Mayanja, this narrative has evolved into a series of sculptures and short films. Our work critically examines colonial histories, the exploitation of natural resources, and the limitations of Western science in addressing climate change, offering a decolonized ecological perspective.

At the heart of the project lies the concept of the "memory of water," inspired by hydro-feminist thought. We consider water as a vessel for collective human and non-human stories, carrying the history of enslaved bodies across the Atlantic Ocean—a central theme in our fictional narrative. This water, now circulating through other forms of life, embodies a shared memory of suffering, survival, and transformation.

In the next phase, we aim to expand our focus from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, a body of water similarly marked by tragic human journeys. The new works will not only reflect on the memory of the transatlantic slave trade but also address ongoing colonial structures, the global North-South relationship, and the exploitation of natural resources.

A significant aspect of my recent research centers on diatoms, single-celled microalgae found in aquatic environments. As vital oxygen producers and a substantial part of Earth’s biomass, diatoms have become key protagonists in this science fiction narrative. These glass-walled organisms, with their intricate and varied structures, serve as metaphors for the interconnectedness of human life and aquatic ecosystems.

My experiments with diatomaceous earth as a clay-like material have yielded promising results, particularly after high-temperature firing, which produces dark red tones with unique variations. At Rocabella, I aim to further explore this medium, using diatomaceous earth to create a series of new sculptures. These works will integrate diatoms not only as formal references but as an active material, blending "earth" with the "sea."

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