Plankton Performance

In this improvised collaboration between artist Jess Holz and composer Senem Pirler, the stars of the show are not human performers, but plankton — lively microorganisms collected from the Charles River and Boston Harbor. Under an advanced Leica DMRB microscope, their movements are captured and projected in real time using a unique time-lapse exposure technique. Projected on our Exchange screen, the agency of these tiny aquatic creatures is highlighted: their movements etched into time through long-exposure time lapse, revealing intricate trails — like brushstrokes in motion — that accumulate and evolve as they swim. The movements of plankton are used as a graphic score by composer and sonic improviser, <a href="https://www.senempirler.com/">Senem Pirler</a>, who responds in real-time to the rhythms, textures, and motion of the plankton. In this multispecies collaboration, Holz and Pirler aim to highlight how plankton reveal themselves and how their movement can inform our decision-making through an improvised performance. The result is what Holz calls Plankton Painting: an audiovisual canvas a millimeter wide created by multitudes of tiny organisms. Rather than presenting plankton as specimens, Plankton Performance elevates them as co-creators — revealing the dynamic, searching behaviors of these microscopic creatures, while also highlighting their relationship with their human collaborators. Plankton are foundational to Earth's ecosystems and among the most abundant forms of life on the planet, yet are invisible to the unaided eye. Their movement capacity can guide us through the unknown and motivate us to embrace the unpredictability of the movement. $20 General Admission, $15 with student ID

MIT Museum

Raquel

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Where

Plankton Performance

Website

Where?