You won't believe how this artist is raising awareness about climate change and pollution

Thijs Biersteker is a visionary artist who has brought a new dimension to the fight against environmental challenges. His unique blend of art and science has enabled him to create installations that are both visually stunning and scientifically accurate. Through these installations, Biersteker has been able to raise awareness about a range of environmental issues, including climate change, air pollution, ocean plastic, and biodiversity loss.

One of the key strengths of Biersteker's work is his collaboration with scientists and institutions. By working with top scientists from organizations like UNESCO, the Natural History Museum, and the European Space Agency, Biersteker is able to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data used in his installations. This collaboration has also enabled him to turn complex scientific data into immersive and interactive experiences that help audiences understand the urgency and scale of environmental challenges.

One of Biersteker's most powerful installations is "Wither," which highlights the urgency of the loss of the rainforest. The installation uses leaves that light up and flicker repeatedly to represent the continuous loss of the rainforest. By making the loss of the rainforest visible in real-time, Biersteker's installation creates a visceral response in viewers, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.

Another notable installation by Biersteker "Econario," a five-meter robotic plant-artwork exhibited at the UN Biodiversity conference that turns the impact of policy changes into a real-time moving art piece. Using a fluid mixture between data visualization, sensors, and artificial intelligence, Biersteker has been able to create installations that are both beautiful and informative. These installations bridge activism and science to help viewers connect with environmental issues on an emotional level, feeling the facts.

Biersteker's work is a powerful example of the fusion of art and science. Throughout history, art and science have often been seen as separate disciplines, but Biersteker has shown how they can come together to create something truly impactful. By making the impacts of climate change visible and relatable, art can inspire people to take action and make the necessary changes to protect our planet.

Biersteker's work also includes is "Pollutive Ends," which allows visitors to see how much pollution is created by a single cigarette butt. The piece is repulsive but captivating, as it forces viewers to confront the scale of the environmental damage caused by seemingly small actions.

In his mission to make science and art come together, Biersteker has also taken steps to ensure that his installations are produced sustainably and circularly. He founded Woven Studio, which provides emission calculations and recyclability information for each artwork. This approach not only reduces the environmental impact of his installations but also promotes the idea of sustainability in the art world.

Biersteker's work has been exhibited all over the world, including at prestigious institutions like Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. He is also a three-time TED speaker and has exhibited at SXSW, the UN conference, and the UNESCO conference.

The impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss are already being felt around the world, and the need for action has never been more pressing. Biersteker's work serves as a powerful reminder of these challenges and inspires viewers to take action. As Biersteker himself has stated, "If the research does not reach us, then how can the research reach us?" Through his art, Biersteker is helping to bridge the gap between science and the public, and inspiring us all to work towards a more sustainable future.

Sources :

UNESCO: https://en.unesco.org/

• Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/

• European Space Agency: https://www.esa.int/

• "Wither" installation: https://thijsbiersteker.com/work/wither/

• UN Biodiversity conference: https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2018

• "Econario" installation: https://thijsbiersteker.com/work/econario/

• Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain: https://www.fondationcartier.com/en/

• Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam: https://www.stedelijk.nl/en

• TED: https://www.ted.com/

• SXSW: https://www.sxsw.com/