Lakshmi Mohanbabu with the three Deep Ocean Interactions Cubes at Gallery ART NOW during the milestone commemoration event on Mar.19, 2025. / Courtesy Photo

Did you know that an artist of Indian origin can be credited with the deepest art installation on the planet?

Under the aegis of the Interactions Project, Lakshmi Mohanbabu, a first-generation naturalised Singaporean of Indian origin, has acquired the unique status as the artist whose creation now adorns the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 7 km beneath the surface. Termed as the ‘hadal zone’ of the ocean, it is near the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on earth, where the environment is one of the most extreme and hostile anywhere on the planet.

The project conceived and lead by Lakshmi, is a testimonial to global co-operation between her (the creative visionary), a deep-sea engineering company (NuStar Technologies Singapore), a premier university (Nanyang Technological University Singapore - NTU Singapore), and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).

The Deepest Ocean Gallery features three meticulously crafted metal cubes, each with 10cm sides. Constructed from special materials and 3D printing technology. One of the cubes was the outcome of laborious efforts of the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP) at Nanyang Technological University which has been at the forefront of additive manufacturing. The cubes were deployed from JAMSTEC’s Chikyu, the world’s first riser drilling-equipped state-of-the-art science vessel.

NuStar Technologies, a Singaporean company, led the deployment and design to transport the cubes on the newly modified LTBMS (Long Term Borehole Monitoring System) as part of the JTRACK Exp.405 — a ground-breaking JAMSTEC mission to install an earthquake monitoring system in ultra-deep waters. Goi Kim Kok, the Managing Director NuStar Technologies commented that "this installation is more than just a structure; it is a symbol of human ingenuity, perseverance, and the limitless potential of collaboration’. He felt that this collaboration demonstrates that ‘even in the most remote and unforgiving environments, there is space for creativity and profound connection."
 
Commenting on the achievement, Ms Goh Swee Chen, the Chair, Board of Trustees, NTU Singapore & the Chair, National Arts Council of Singapore stated that ‘this project beautifully illustrates the seamless integration of art, engineering, and technology’ and ‘how creative expression and scientific advancement can come together to inspire and push the boundaries of what is possible’.

A specially designed holder by NuStar Technologies was created to house the three Deep Ocean Cubes, integrating it into the Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System (LTBMS) equipment bay frame. / Courtesy photoThe Deep Ocean Cube pictured here, the Dromenon, is one of the three from the Hadal Descent that reached a depth of 7km and has now journeyed back to the surface. / Courtesy photo

Who is Lakshmi Mohanbabu?

Born in Trivandrum, Lakshmi Mohanbabu grew up in Afghanistan where her father was posted with the UN. She trained as an architect and fashion designer from Manipal and NIFT Delhi in India before migrating to Singapore in 2001. Married to a very successful telecom entrepreneur in his own right, she believes in ‘Interactions’ - her creative vision to permeate all facets of design with a simple universal message that we are all interconnected. Based on nine existential elements: Creation, Lifecycles, Shape, Colour, Movement, Direction, Energy, Space and Time. Her aim going forward is to create installations in global cities forming a network of journeys that transcend all barriers — literally and metaphorically — connecting people worldwide.

With this installation, she becomes the only human to have her artwork installed in the outer edges of space and at the depths of the ocean. In 2022, she became the first Singaporean artist to have her works sent to the International Space Station. These Interactions artworks, as part of the Moon gallery, are slated to find a permanent place on the Moon by the end of this year. Now, with this ground-breaking ocean installation, she becomes the first artist to have her work reach both the outer edges of space and the ocean’s most mysterious depths.

Lakshmi feels that ‘art possesses the unique ability to connect humanity across both physical and metaphorical depths. Through the Deep Ocean Interactions Project, she truly seeks to ‘inspire meaningful change by highlighting our interconnected existence and bringing people together through a shared journey and purpose’.

So, when you plan that trip to the moon or the deep sea, remember to keep the art gallery in the list of things to do!

The three Deep Ocean Cubes hold the unique distinction of being the only artworks on the planet to have journeyed to the Hadal zone, reaching a depth of 7km and returning in 2023. This was a trial mission before the final installation in 2024. / Courtesy Photo