Hypercomf | Marine Caves and Benthic Terrazzo

The work explores the challenges faced by marine ecosystems today and the threats that emerge for the future, combining scientific field research, film production, prototype design, and public workshops. The goal is to enhance the understanding of human impact on the ocean and to seek solutions that could mitigate the consequences of human activity.

At the core of the research is the Benthic Terrazzo, a series of tiles inspired by Venetian terrazzo mosaic.  Hypercomf’s practice replaces part of the sand and cement with marine pollutants—plastic objects, microplastics, nets, and ropes—incorporating them into an upcycling process that can be easily reproduced. Each tile draws its aesthetic from underwater photographic impressions of sea caves, creating connections between human homes and marine habitats.

The exhibited series was created between 2020 and 2022 as part of the Studiotopia program, hosted by the Onassis Foundation Stegi and co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, with scientific advisory by Markos Digenis and material support from BlueCycle.

The practice investigates the relationships between nature and culture, domestication, industry, and science, while nurturing interdisciplinary collaborations and community participation. Engaging in diverse modes of production that often involve biodiverse participants, Hypercomf constructs dynamic narratives where organic and inorganic protagonists coexist.

Founded by artists Paola Palavidi and Ioannis Koliopoulos, Hypercomf’s recent works include Pytheas Travels (2023), a live audiovisual performance critique of mass tourism’s impact on coastal cultures, featuring music by Maja S.K. Ratkje and presented in Oslo and Athens as part of the Transmissions program. Film Seed Festival (2022) is an agriculture crop-powered filmfestival on Tinos.

Marine Caves and Benthic Terrazzo (2022–ongoing) is a sustainable material project producing terrazzo tiles from plastic waste collected on Greek shores within the Studiotopia program. Anthemis, a digital herbarium mapping the flora of Syros in collaboration with the Archipelago Network.

ARTWORKS is a non-profit organization created thanks to a founding grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Through grants, residencies, and cultural programs, it supports artists and curators, empowering the contemporary art scene in Greece and internationally.