2026

One Minute of Escaping Air

A work by Ludwig Berger

Morteratsch Glacier, Engadin · sealed 23 September 2026

One minute of glacier sound — air bubbles trapped in the ice for centuries, escaping as it melts — is translated into synthetic DNA, sealed in glass and set into the rock beside the glacier. A titanium plate above it carries the instructions for turning the DNA back into sound.

The DNA is expected to endure for at least 2,000 years. In 2123, a century after the recording, the capsule is to be opened and the minute played back into the valley.

The capsule was sealed at a public gathering, with a live performance by David Rothenberg.

Production, science and supporters

Planète Bleue — production, fundraising and partnerships.

A concept commission by SUISA, developed by Ludwig Berger with Prof. Robert Grass (ETH Zurich) and Prof. Reinhard Heckel (TU Munich).

Supported by ETH Zurich, SUISA, Temperatio Stiftung, Canton of Graubünden, Elisabeth Weber Stiftung, SMKK-Stiftung, Stiftung Stavros S. Niarchos and Constantino Financial Group SA.

2024

H2O: the story of water

Geneva · 21–24 March 2024 · free and open to all

A city art-walk through Geneva for World Water Day. Over four evenings, twelve stops along a mapped route turned the city into a sequence of sound installations, projection mapping, video and augmented reality.

The route followed water from its origins in the universe to the fountains of Geneva.

Supporters and partners

Concept and production: Association Planète Bleue.

With the support of Loterie Romande, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, SIG, Genève Tourisme and CIPEL.

In collaboration with UN Water and the République et Canton de Genève.