Linnea Rundgren

The STOMATA project;

Is a science-art collaboration between a visual artist/electron microscopist and an ethnobotanist. The project revolves around plant physiology, ethnobotany and climate research. The aim is a touring photographic (micrographic) exhibition and ultimately a coffee table book. 

In the Autumn of 2017 I was introduced to ethnobotanist Kathleen Harrison and her fantastic project Botanical Dimensions, a living library of culturally significant plants from all over the world. Kathleen has collected, propagated and planted hundreds of species in her 13 acre property on the slopes of a volcano in Hawaii.

In the months prior I had begun to obsess over stomata - the tiny little "breathing mechanisms" of plants, through which the plant “inhales” the air that we are exhaling, using the CO2 to create O2 (and carbohydrates). This way we keep breathing back and forth - the plants and us animals - eternally linked through this cycle. The point of connection being this little organ on the leaf of the plant.

To me it is a fascinating concept on many levels and upon investigating I found that there are currently some rather interesting climate research being undertaken, where Dr Margret Stenhorstdottir and her team at the Museum of Natural History in Stockholm, are investigating paleontological stomata samples and comparing with samples from living specimens. This allows her to estimate the levels of CO2 present in the atmosphere in the distant past. The information can be quite useful, for example to give us a better idea of what is going on with our climate today.

In short; I found stomata to be a generally intriguing topic and me, being a scientific photographer and science communicator, of course embarked upon a journey to try to image these little plant parts in order to share my fascination with all of you guys. I developed methods that I thought might work. Failed and tried again.

Eventually I came up with a solution that seemed viable. It was around the time that my path crossed with Kathleen’s. The opportunity arose to come and try out the method at her place in Hawaii. I only had one afternoon on location but I did get a couple of samples and it sure did work.

It looked something like this:

Upon visiting the Botanical Dimensions, in the spring of 2018, it dawned on me how outrageously fascinating it would be to make the exhibition using plant samples collected in this unique garden. Here are plants that human cultures all around the world have used for a range of purposes throughout the ages. The images will not only contain the - already exciting and intriguing - physiological and scientific element that had originally sparked my interest, but would be enriched with a layer of mythology, ancient wisdom and culturally transcendental information from our distant ancestors world wide.

Now Kathleen has invited me back to spend three months with her in her garden, this coming winter, collecting samples, going through her archives with scientific information and indigenous stories related to each plant. My plan is to collect 21 samples of carefully selected species. From the samples I will make scanning electron microscope images of the stomata of each plant. These images will form the foundation for a touring exhibition of giant micrograph prints and ultimately a coffee table book.

About the artist:

My name is Linnea, I am a scientific photographer, microscopist and holographer.

Born and raised in Sweden but more or less migratory since the last 15 years.

I have always been fascinated by the incredible designs and systems that the natural world is constantly perfecting and evolving. Intrigued by the things I find myself surrounded by and existing inside of.

From an early age I turned to science for answers to my many questions but I soon learned that the questions multiply. Every question answered posed another even more alluring question.

Somewhere along the line I happened upon a wish inside of me to share my curiosity and awe with other humans. I had a stock pile of interesting observations and queries that I wanted to explore and express. I was introduced to the vast possibilities available to me within the field of imaging technology and went on to study scientific photography, microscopy and holography at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, in Melbourne, Australia. This provided me with tools for seeing beyond the limitations of human perception  and offered an opportunity to translate complex information – through images – into a tangible format for human intellection.

Links:

You will find images from some of my previous projects on my web site:

www.linearimaging.com

Here you can read about my short film that won the Visual Science Award at the Imagine Science Film Festival in Brooklyn 2018:

https://library.imaginesciencefilms.org/non-linear-a-journey-through-time-and-microcosmic-space/

And the film, Non Linear, is now available to watch here:

http://www.linearimaging.com/the-non-linear-project/

You will find me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/linearimaging/

If you follow this link you can read more about Dr. Steinhorstdottir's research: 

https://www.nrm.se/english/researchandcollections/palaeobiology/ourresearch/globalginkgo.9005695.html

The following link will take you to one of her articles, in Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology Journal:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031018216300967

In order to perform the  strenuous work of collecting samples and carrying heavy photographic equipment up and down the slopes of a volcano in a tropical jungle, I will need an assistant to join me, thus the budget is calculated to accommodate for two people.

Luckily the Botanical Dimensions have kindly agreed to cover the cost of accommodation in Hawaii for me and my assistant for the three months.

The cost of travel between Stockholm and Hilo is rather high however, as is some of the equipment required, which is why your contribution would be so greatly valued and undeniably indispensable.

The budget break down is as follows:

Travel:

Flights Arlanda till Honolulu: 2p €2300

Domestic flights Honolulu to Hilo 2p €330

Extra luggage 1 bag, two flights: €35

Luggage for domestic flights (not included in price) 3 bags, two flights: €104

Air Port Transport Arlanda & Hilo 2 p: €94

Visa USA 140kr x 2: €26

Travel insurance 3 months: €85

Sim card & service 3 months €104

Total expenses for travel: €3078

Equipment:

Casting material for samples x 4: €300

SD cards x 2: €175

Sunscreen, bug repellent, mosquito net, hat, camel back, boots: €140

Test images at EM lab in Hilo 10 h: €470

Total expenses for equipment: €1085

Total cost of project: €4163