Softspot is an air-purifying sculptural installation, consisting of suspended algae bioreactors (Spirulina platensis). The algae densify to create a shaded, green canopy for passersby; consuming carbon dioxide from the nearby environment and emitting pure oxygen. Carbon accumulation is both a large scale environmental issue and a local health issue. Allegheny County ranks in the top 2 percent of counties in the US for cancer risk from air pollution link. The threat of Pittsburgh’s air quality to public health and the hyperlocal effects of CO2 on pollutant entrapment necessitate work toward carbon reduction.

Project in collaboration with biologist and algae researcher Alexandra Lewis. Spirulina microcoil photo credit Kaori Kamata. Public installation set for Spring 2020. Funded by ProSEED CMU and AwesomePittsburgh public art grant.