Interspecies Assembly

How Siphonophores teach us to coexist with other species

In collaboration with

ART 2030

the United Nations

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

and 4 more partners

An assembly for all

Building a community of humans and non-human species like siphonophores to come together to inspire action

The First Non-Human Delegate to the United Nations

Siphonophores are coming to the UN thanks to SUPERFLEX — and they have a lot to teach us

What is a Siphonophore?

These fascinating and strange colonial oranisms demonstrate how to coexist on the planet

Explore the themes

Discover how Siphonophores came to play a major role in an artwork aiming to inspire action on the environment

Discover Siphonophores

Colonial organisms living in harmony

Interspecies Assembly

With SUPERFLEX and Art 2030

Embrace Biodiversity

Every single species is interconnected

Meet a siphonophore in 3D

Bring a siphonophore from the open seas into your own space using Augmented Reality

A Siphonophore Designed for Interspecies Assembly

Discover the first non-human delegate to the United Nations in 3D and AR

What exactly is a siphonophore?

Learn more about these sea-dwelling colonial organisms

Meet the Siphonophores

Explore the breathtaking beauty and diversity of siphonophores with MBARI

Living in Harmony

The iconic colonial organism represents a shared division of labor

What are Colonial Organisms?

Individuals working together as one

How is a Siphonophore Different from a Jellyfish?

Though the two might look the same, there's a world of difference

Dive into diversity

See a small selection of the more than 175 kinds of siphonophores

Shaggy Siphonophore

Erenna insidiator

Crystal Siphonophore

Frillagalma vityazi

Lightbulb Siphonophore

Rosacea sp.

Green Caterpillar Siphonophore

Lilyopsis fluoracantha

Spaghetti Siphonophore

Bathyphysa conifera

Balloon Siphonophore

Stephalia dilata

Lacy Siphonophore

Erenna laciniata

Horned Siphonophore

Erenna cornuta

Spotlight on: the Portuguese man o' war

This surface-dwelling creature is among the best known siphonophores

Physalia Physalis: One of Millions of Animal Species Worth Protecting

The Portuguese man o'war and the importance of biodiversity

Getting to know the Blue Fleet

Learn about how Australia's curious and exquisitely beautiful ocean nomads coexist

From bluebottles...

The bluebottle (Physalia utriculus), also known as the Pacific man o' war, is a siphonophore that passively drifts off the coasts of Australia.

...and beyond!

Blue dragons, the by-the-wind sailor, the violet sea snail, and the blue button round out the rest of the Blue Fleet.

How do you study siphonophores?

Learn how experts at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute venture into the open sea to research these fragile creatures

Describing New Species with Remotely Operated Vehicles

Learn about the dazzling diversity of these delicate deep-sea drifters

Marrus claudanielis

This stunning scarlet siphonophore was described in 2005

Erenna sirena

The angler siphonophore uses bioluminescence to lure its prey

Erenna sirena

Attracting prey by wiggling an array of bioluminescent red lures

Halistemma rubrum

Found in the Gulf of California, 245 meters below the surface

Stephanomia amphytridis

First recorded in 1805, it can grow to over 10 meters in length

Marrus claudanielis

Vibrant red bioluminescence may help to confuse predators

Historic siphonophore research

Before researchers could easily explore the open ocean, they studied siphonophores through incredible and ingenious methods

Works of Art for Science

The incredible glass models from the workshop of Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka

A New Discovery at the First Transatlantic Cable

How repair work at the first transatlantic cable led to the description of a new siphonophore

Between art and science

Explore incredible early scientific illustrations of siphonophores from the Kunstformen der Natur and beyond

Building biodiversity

No man is an island... even humans coexist with millions of other species here on earth

Biodiversity

What it is and why it matters — both above land and below water

"Biodiversity is Life"

Professor Carsten Rahbek speaks with Art 2030 and SUPERFLEX about the importance of this concept

The Importance of Interconnection

We are just one of approximately 8.7 million species

Life Under the Sea

How siphonophores fit into the delicate, complex food web of the deep sea

Ecosystem Restoration

Protecting and reviving ecosystems all around the world, for the benefit of nature and people

From the seas to the steps of the UN

How art and Siphonophores can teach us to tackle climate change

SUPERFLEX: Interspecies Assembly

For the first time ever, humans and non-human species will come together during the 76th United Nations General Assembly

Art, Biodiversity, and Action

An insight into the conversation between artist group SUPERFLEX, ART 2030, and Professor Carsten Rahbek, exploring action for biodiversity

How Can Art Inspire Action?

Art 2030 founder Luise Faurschou explains the power of artworks and artists to tackle serious issues

The Making of Interspecies Assembly

A look into the development and creation of the Interspecies Assembly sculptures by SUPERFLEX in close collaboration with KYW.studio

Uniting Art and Science

Professor Carsten Rahbek joins SUPERFLEX and Art 2030 to discuss biodiversity and Interspecies Assembly

Experience the Vertical Migration

See a sneak peek of SUPERFLEX's new film starring siphonophores

Vertical Migration: A spotlight on the first non-human delegate to come to the United Nations

Play video

Still, Vertical Migration

SUPERFLEX

Still, Vertical Migration

SUPERFLEX

Still, Vertical Migration

SUPERFLEX

Still, Vertical Migration

SUPERFLEX

Still, Vertical Migration

SUPERFLEX

Still, Vertical Migration

SUPERFLEX

Still, Vertical Migration

SUPERFLEX

SUPERFLEX: Meet the artists behind Interspecies Assembly

A vision of art focused on community that bridges siphonophores, a flooded McDonald's, and a park designed by and for the people

SUPERFLEX

A look at artist group SUPERFLEX's artistic practice and investigations into power, climate, and an uncertain future

Rasmus Nielson

"I like to think of siphonophores as my cousins"

Bjørnstjerne Christiansen

"We have decided to set some rules for how to act"

Jakob Fenger

"The sculptures are fundamental to our lives, but also to other lives"

Explore more

Dive deeper into the world of siphonophores

Stories

Images

Collections

Interested in Natural history?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.