Thus, an electron that comes from the outlet, enters transistors and IC’s, accumulates at capacitors, and crosses resistors, eventually reaches the electron transfer chain and becomes the breath of a cell, or just travels along to be amplified and excite our ears.

Circuits of extended phenotype is an artistic research practice that investigates relationships between culture/technology and biotic/abiotic environment around us, within the scope of electronic music, synth DIY and bio-art. This concept was initially inspired by J. Lovelocks and L. Margulis Gaia theory of bio-geological evolution, that proposes an extended view upon organisms, and their influence on the environment, embracing the nearly infinite reciprocities, between earth and it’s inhabitants.

At Q-O2, Palekas will further research on the concept of extended electronics. He plans to develop new electro-organic circuits, explore new sonic territories as well as circuit topologies, all at the intersection of local microbiota, plants and inorganic environment. The initial goal is to work towards establishing a lasting hybrid ecosystem combining biotic life and sound circuits. Moreover, he plans to further investigate bio-electric signaling, electro-reducing organisms (those who breathe electrons) and microbial and plant listening.

Overall, within his research he speculates on a perception shift towards technology, reflecting on the pressing global matters concerning e-waste, consumerism and consumer oriented technological developments. Within his work, he invites to question how and where did the human/nature divide began. Perhaps even to take a few steps backwards, and investigate how and where new bonds could emerge, whether in the interface, in the sound or how and by whom it is listened.

Adomas Palekas (Vilnius/Den Haag) is a sound and bio artist, engineer working at the intersection of the non-human and art. His current research focus is on circuits of extended phenotype – a creative practice that invites biotic and abiotic worlds to enact together in the process of sounding. With self-derived interfaces and instruments of extended phenotype, Adomas sonically investigates complex non-human worlds beyond our sensory perception: microbial metabolism and growth, (in)organic matter and chemical reactions, all of which become the primary compositional forces in his emergent sound works. His approach combines design of musical instruments and environmental sensing interfaces, microbial research, attention to site and non-human ears, field recordings, sonification mapping, electroacoustic composition and other mediums.

Adomas’s further sound practice extends towards electroacoustic performances, composition for theater as well as sound engineering for live acts. His solo works and collaborations have been presented in various spaces across Lithuania, Italy, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, UK, Czechia, also international festivals such as “Ars Electronica”, “ŪMĖDĖ“, “REWIRE 2023“, “Gaudeamus“, Venice Architecture Biennial. Currently Adomas is a research associate at the Institute of Sonology. He’s also involved with Lithuanian DIY communities Studium-P and Palanga Street Radio.

Residency in the framework of tekhnē, funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.