PALUDARIA
An installation of still and moving images

by ZOKU Lab
ZfZ Berlin, April 9–12, 2026

Paludaria explores urban water ecosystems through close observation, using low-fi digital and analog tools — from simple USB microscope cameras to cameraless analog printing techniques. The project culminates in an immersive, improvised installation employing reused, obsolete, and modified technologies. Through photography, moving image, and installation, Paludaria invites viewers to engage visually and experientially with the biodiversity of urban aquatic environments.

The project investigates the largely invisible microcosms of urban waters through a process of collecting, observing, and visualizing the hidden life found in the city’s lakes. Over several months, we walked along the shores of Berlin’s lakes — including Schlachtensee, Obersee, Weißensee, Tegeler See, and Müggelsee — collecting samples both in the water and its surroundings, including man-made and natural elements. For each lake, part of this material was later used to create a paludarium: a reconstructed microcosm contained within a vessel, traditionally used by both amateurs and scientists to observe and analyze aquatic environments. Throughout the process, sampling was carried out non-invasively and using recycled materials (glass jars, plastic sleeves, and similar containers).

The title Paludaria, the plural form of paludarium, loosely references Italo Calvino’s literary collection of imaginary cities. Paludaria is a city that does not exist — neither in Calvino’s book nor in real geography.

ZOKU Lab (Paolo Gallo and Laura Liverani) is a Berlin-based photography duo. Their pilot project Paludaria experiments with image-based media across still and moving image practices. Coming from a background in street photography, Paolo’s practice is rooted in commercial photography and collaborative community-based projects. Laura is a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and lecturer whose work has been internationally exhibited and published.

List of Works

Paludaria – Digital microscope video of various paludariums, 12’30”, Paolo Gallo – 2019–2026
Hologram – Slide show on dismantled LCD screen, glass cylinder, mirrors, Paolo Gallo and Laura Liverani – 2026
Untitled – Live projection from a digital microscope observing a paludarium, Paolo Gallo – 2026
Microcosm – Digital microscope video of a paludarium droplet, 10’12”, Paolo Gallo – 2026
Untitled – Series of silver gelatin contact prints of urban lake sampling, various sizes, Laura Liverani – 2024–2026

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