Pirarucú 01: speculative probe object made of recyclable materials

This video installation is based on a speculative object and its surrounding narrative.It emerged from dialogues with the community of Leticia, Colombia located by the Amazonas (Solimes) river.A probe built with PET bottle is the main artifact.The plastic pollution problem of Leticia led to this question: What would happen if a community-built probe made of a PET bottle was launched to the river to document and sense water quality?The inquiry produced the speculative object (the bottle) and a set of other artifacts (a video, a book and a booklet, a poster) that explore alternative ways to document an arts/science endeavor.In doing so, this proposal emphasizes that although the probe prototype is not functional, it posits real technical questions to be solved and underlines the role of creation in science inquiry.In this way, the project discusses citizen and open science and epistemological diversity in solving local problems with vernacular DIY technologies, postulating sensible-creative knowledge as a way to convey critical thinking.The recycled low-tech qualities of the probe pinpoint global south alternatives within a technological sovereignty framework.Additionally, the whole piece allows us to reflect on other ways of computation where recycled technologies and local ethos defy techno-deterministic approaches leading to an unavoidable conclusion: not everything is computable as shown by other non-western traditions.