Out of the Blue by Silke Huysmans & Hannes Dereere

In the spring of 2021, three ships will converge in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean. One of them is part of the Belgian dredging company DEME-GSR. Four kilometers below sea level, their mining robot scrapes the seabed in search of rare metals. On another ship, an international team of marine biologists and geologists closely monitors the operation. A third ship completes the fleet: aboard the infamous Rainbow Warrior, Greenpeace activists protest this possible future industry.

From their small apartment in Brussels, Silke and Hannes connect via satellite to the three ships, each representing a pillar of the public debate: industry, science and activism. Through interviews and conversations, they paint an intimate portrait of an emerging industry. The performance is an attempt to capture a potential pivotal moment in Earth's history. How much deeper can mining companies dig and where are we actually digging ourselves with humanity? What are the challenges and risks? What opportunities may be up for grabs?