INTERNATIONAL ARTS THINK TANK VISITS LAKE CLIFTON THROMBOLITES

Artsactive is an international network of organisations involved in running artists programs in science and industry research laboratories.

This international gathering was organised by SymbioticA, an arts and science laboratory located at the University of Western Australia and dedicated to the research, learning and critique of life sciences.

Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey said, as part of the program, the group was taken on a field visit to view Lake Clifton’s thrombolite reef.

“The City is collaborating with SymbioticA on the potential for an art project that will focus on this rare and ancient lake-bound reef, one of the best examples of its kind in the world,” Mayor Creevey said.

“Lake Clifton’s thrombolite reef is listed as a critically endangered site, and such a project would bring international attention to the conservation values of this area and the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Thrombolite Recovery Program.”

Mayor Creevey said Mandurah was growing its reputation for supporting the arts in the City and region.

“We recognise an innovative project such as this broadens understanding of the role art can have across all sectors, even research,” she said.

“During the visit, the expertise of practitioners from research centres in Adelaide, Singapore, Maastricht in the Netherlands, Prague in the Czech Republic, and Lisbon in Portugal contributed to lively discussions about the Lake Clifton project.”

Micro-organisms living in Lake Clifton’s shallow environment use calcium carbonate from the water in a process of photosynthesis that creates the mineralised structure of the thrombolite. The current thrombolite reef, which is about 2000 years old, also relies on fresh groundwater feeding into the lake for survival.

RELEASE ENDS

12 August 2008