Oceanaia

Bloom of synthesis

Interactive Immersive Art Installation

“Creating Tomorrow” Art, Nature and innovation in a sustainable future

Christelle Mas & Olli Uikkanen

Oceanaia is an interactive aquatic ecosystem simulation set on a distant oceanic planet in the year 7000. In this speculative future, genetically modified aquatic species coexist across four ecosystems, each shaped by a different human ecological philosophy. These environments reflect diverse visions of sustainability and the balance between nature and technology.

A fifth ecosystem, known as the Jungle, serves as a dynamic convergence zone where all four philosophies—and their respective species—interact, merge, and evolve.

Blending art and science, marine and scientific data, Oceanaia explores imaginative scenarios of ecological and technological cohabitation. Through artistic storytelling the project raises awareness about the complexity of marine ecosystems and the consequences of human intervention in nature. It invites audiences to reflect on sustainability, environmental ethics, and the potential for symbiotic coexistence with technology and the natural world.

Who are we ?

Christelle Mas (b. 1984, Paris, France) is a French photographer and media artist based in Finland. Her work explores the human connection to technology and other species, focusing on themes of species co-existence and human interaction with technology in utopian future scenarios and alternative fictions.Her creative process merges scientific and artistic methodologies, developed through numerous collaborations with scientists and technologists. She works with tactile media, installations, video, interactive experiences, and photography.

Christelle Mas has a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor’s degree in the Philosophy of art from the University of Sorbonne in Paris. She has displayed her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions both in Finland and internationally. Mas is a member of the Bioart Society, M-Cult (Agency for media arts and digital culture) and the Association of Photographic Artists in Finland.

Olli Uikkanen (Born in 1991) Olli is a Finnish game designer and a member of M-Cult. He is a passionate and skilled game designer with over seven years of experience in game development, including three years as a full-time professional freelancer. Specializing in combat systems, emergent narratives, and game mechanics, Olli has worked on multiple successful projects, including commercial games on Roblox and contract work for YAHAHA. He has earned multiple game jam awards. With expertise in system design, level design, UI/UX, programming, and animation, Olli continues to push the boundaries of interactive experiences.

publications

Our process

The game integrates Christelle Mas mixed media artworks, with in-game environments and creatures inspired by real-life photocollages, and photographs. All visual elements of the game, including background images, creature designs, buildings, and level layouts, are created using scientific data and 3 D microscopic images, primarily of insects and microorganisms. These files are processed using specialized scientific software tailored to the various microscopes used. This work is made possible through a partnership with Oulu Biocenter, Finland, and will soon be further enriched through an upcoming partnership with the Institute of Research of Marine in Klaipeda, Lithuania.