– The most visceral part of the install. A shallow pool of iron-rich water (real) contained submerged CRT monitors playing looped footage of disappearing wetlands. Visitors had to wade. The water temperature fluctuated based on real-time carbon monoxide levels in the room.
This essay explores the intersection of the Shakespearean figure "Ophelia" (often associated with water, tragedy, and rebirth) and the modern, structural concept of an "installation." ophelia kaan 2025 install
Kaan has taken the decommissioned industrial complex and is retrofitting it to house a climate-controlled rainforest microclimate. However, the "install" refers specifically to her patented Mycelium Mesh Network —a series of load-bearing columns grown from fungi and recycled brick aggregate rather than manufactured steel. – The most visceral part of the install
: A permanent but frequently updated interactive art space with over a dozen installations dedicated to the joy of color. Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago The water temperature fluctuated based on real-time carbon
a mesmerizing installation attributed to the enigmatic figure Ophelia Kaan
If you’re an artist or curator planning a 2026 install that borrows from Kaan’s principles, remember: the most radical act you can perform is to promise nothing will remain. Then keep that promise.