Arts and Culture Features

Seran Kubisa has combined the two separate worlds of science and art to produce a public project entitled "Treasure Island: A Forensic investigation of a City."

To create the artwork Seran began by collecting fragments from treasured objects belonging to people and organisations across the city.

Artist Seran Kubisa

She then took the tiny pieces of 'evidence' to Southampton General Hospital where she carried out a forensic-style investigation on the samples under a powerful microscope.

Scientific inspiration

"I've done 188 so far and it's carried out as a proper forensic investigation. Every moment I analyse a fibre under the microscope it's exciting for me, it's intriguing and I'm just so keen to share that with other people."

The items have included the sledge from Captain Scott's expedition to the Antarctic, in 1910, peppercorns dated 1545 from The Mary Rose and a knot in the fibres from Lord Nelson's mistress, Lady Hamilton's dress hem which is now 205 years old:

"The way those two bits entwine together represented to me Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson's relationship."

Part of Seran Kubisa's collection

Beneath the surface

Seran discovered that samples over 30 years old contained more natural fluorescence. Analysed under the powerful microscope, they reveal unique tiny structures that form the basis of the artwork.

The images are then manipulated and colour-treated before being turned into prints, lightboxes and installations which Seran displayed in Portsmouth Cathedral last year.

Seran hopes to continue the project throughout 2009. You can see an archive of the collection so far on the Treasure Island website.