4004

_4004 (2021)

Commissioned by The Photographer's Gallery

Drawing on previous projects and longstanding research, this new work from Joana Moll sets out to expose the links between the explosion of techno-capitalism, the acceleration of climate change and resulting decline of essential ecosystems.

The project’s title, 4004 is taken from the name of the first commercial microprocessor, created 50 years ago in 1971, for the Intel Corporation. Heralded as the most advanced integrated circuit design ever undertaken, the Intel 4004, marked a new era in technological development.

Moll aims to establish a link between the exponential growth of the microprocessor and the decline in both number and diversity of species – in particular insects, who form an essential part of our ecological infrastructure and have been declining at alarming levels, with reports suggesting that a quarter of insects could be wiped out within just a decade.

Presented on the Media Wall and online on unthinking.photography, the work draws parallels between the internal anatomies and roles of microprocessors and insects, showing how both are small but key components of larger systems.

4004 opens with a dense series of images of insects which fills our vision. Over the two and a half months’ duration of the exhibition, the insects are gradually and generatively superseded by microprocessors. The subtle but continuous replacement of the natural order by technological advancement, reflects not only on the cannibalisation of ecologies, but also on the problematics of visibly representing climate change. - The Photographer's Gallery.

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_A detailed archive of the work is available here >>

Solo show at Photographer's Gallery. 1st of August - 15th of October 2021. London, UK. Photo: Eleni Parousi.

Solo show at Photographer's Gallery. 1st of August - 15th of October 2021. London, UK. Photo: courtesy of the artist.