Nina Beier and Simon Dybbroe Møller: PROTEIN

Curated by Elise Lammer.

Animals and machines are recurring motifs in both Simon Dybbroe Møller (b.1976) and Nina Beier’s (b.1975) work. Each of their respective practices tap into the mutable tropes found in mass-produced goods travelling between different geo-political realities. In this exhibition developed for La Carpinteria—the Ses12naus newly-renovated exhibition space located in Ibiza’s industrial area—the world of the commodity is united with that of animals/machines. Departing from the widespread assumption that the human being is better than the animal and other than the machine, the artists have been investigating Ibiza’s insects and cultural life to produce a new collaborative installation entitled PROTEIN featuring a large colony of solar-powered mechanical bugs.

In the 1970s, environmental thinking was infused with theories of self-regulation, such as the Gaia theory, as well as utopian ideologies about the network and the web. Scientific knowledge about planetary environmental issues was often thought through the prism of anticipation scenarios, giving rise to many horror stories and sci-fi narratives. This in turn contributed to building an aesthetic of disgust that sparked a widespread aversion towards insects. Waylon Green’s faux documentary The Hellstrom Chronicles (1971), united this tendency with the genre of horror. The film is narrated by Dr. Nils Hellstrom, who claims, on the basis of pseudo-scientific theories, that while humans and insects are indeed the only growing populations on Earth, insects will ultimately win the fight for survival. The fictitious scientist at some point exclaims: “Compared with Man, we have to admit that the insect does not display what we can describe as intelligence. But don’t feel too proud about that, because where there is no intelligence, there is also no stupidity.”

Today, edible insects are considered a serious alternative to meat, potentially playing a significant role in addressing food insecurity. They provide a low carbon footprint protein, and can be “cultivated” in warm and dry climates. Nina Beier and Simon Dybbroe Møller’s installation PROTEIN looks at the insects’ conflicting status, which has recently shifted from unwanted lower-order creatures to one of the most in-demand commodities. More than anything though, the solar powered creepy-crawlers on display are perfectly contradictory objects: they are both dark and playful, both psychological and crudely material, they are in other words semantically, but also pragmatically complex and rich objects. 

According to the artists, these machine bugs are “paradoxical entities” that exist somewhere between an animal, a plant, a technological device, and a sculptural representation. In PROTEIN, the manufactured insects contradictorily symbolise both the possibility of a sustainable future and the origin of the mass extinction humanity is currently facing. While encompassing problematically-sourced materials, unethical work conditions and a wasteful lifespan, these machine-bugs emerge from a production cycle that isn’t far from symbolising a sustainability nightmare. 

PROTEIN is the result of the artists’ residency on Ibiza between the months of April and July 2023. During their stay on Ibiza, the artists explored the muddled reality of the island’s varied, contrasting and coexisting cultural and natural features. The project is curated by Elise Lammer.

About us
Ses Dotze Naus (the twelve vessels in Ibicencan) was created to foster and develop contemporary culture on Ibiza with a strong international profile. Our name is metaphor for the artists as vessels we bring to Ibiza to interact with the island, contribute ideas, and create cultural and social value. 

The Ses Dotze Naus Foundation develops artists’ residencies, exhibitions and public programs; contributing to the island as a place for creation, production and enjoyment of contemporary art. The foundation brings artists and thinkers to research and produce  projects within the context of Ibiza, its narratives, and its culture. La Carpintería, our space for production, exhibition and encounter is located in an active industrial area. The foundation is firmly focussed on the future of the island, always having in mind its rich heritage while embracing its global audience.