The scope of artistic cross-border creation is so wide that it can easily transcend the 180-degree one-shot or split-leg, and cross into unexpected fields. Artist Brad Troemels installation "Live/Work" presents the life and work of ants in a reality show, and also gives people a glimpse into the secrets of the ant world.
Troemel takes the diligent worker ants as the protagonists. Nine transparent plastic boxes are filled with all the necessary nutrients for the ants to make a special gel. The ants are allowed to chew, transport, store the gel, and dig tunnels in the gel. , the process of moving from nest to nest is shown to the public one by one. As the gel gradually shrinks after being eaten by ants, it even "sculpts" tunnels that appear to be irregular, but are actually full of operating rules in the ant world. It’s a half-scientific, half-art real-life ant show. If there were a few more judges on site, maybe it could really turn into a science exhibition!
In order to complete this work, Troemel himself also conducted a lot of research and observation. He discovered that the tunnels dug by ants may not have any purpose at first glance. In fact, ants are accustomed to digging tunnels from the farthest ends of the bottom of the ant nest, and eventually connect the eight corners to each other. When ants are placed in a larger "nest", the ants' digging efficiency will decline.
