ECONTINUUM
Tree roots inviting us back into the ecosystem
Under the forest floor trees communicate and share nutritions with each to keep the forest healthy as one.
The work Econtinuum uses sensors to mimic this tree roots behavior in the museum.
Controlled by the sensors two eco - A.I ‘s are having a symbiotic conversation. Talking to each other, reacting to the environment and nurturing each other as if they where underground.
As they talk visitors are invited in their conversation. Experiencing their core principle; Together we are stronger.
These tree roots are communicating as if they were right there, beneath your feet in the forest and they are inviting you to take part in their conversation.
This data sculpture by Eco-artist Thijs Biersteker in collaboration with Biologist Stefano Mancuso uses the scientific data of tree communication to mimic the electric and chemical chatter of trees and invites you into their conversation.
The work showcases the power of a symbiotic relationship in nature and shares the biggest lesson to be learned from a forest ecosystem: together we are stronger.
These giant transparent root networks can measure the air quality, the humidity, C02 levels and volatile organic compounds in the room. It uses this data to generate a conversation as if they were right there under the ground.
The two trees communicate about the biometric and air composition changes in the room, sending electric warning signals and sharing nutrients to keep each other in balance (find out everything about tree communication here and here). And as a small artistic twist you are invited to join, as you come closer to the piece.
In the two giant transparent root structures a basic eco-a.i. uses the sensors in the room to mimic the intelligent symbiotic relationship taking place underneath the forest floor.
The work uncovers how the two trees warn each other, learn from each other and share nutrients. Working together in a symbiotic system moving from tree to tree.
The sensors in the work absorb the visitors behavior into the electro and chemical tree to tree conversation, enabling the work to gain lessons from its visitors. With the aim to let the visitors learn the beauty of a possible continuum into a symbiotic future with nature.
The sculpture is made of recycled plastics and is created by using giant 3D printers. The communication between the trees is controlled by a basic eco- a.i that generates the communication in real time and is based on the scientific parameters coming from years of research in the field of plant communication . For the makers the beauty of the work is in it’s evolution. As days and weeks go by, the work and it’s a.i driven soundscape evolve in a way that we can’t foresee yet. This keeps it interesting to come back, even for the team that has built it for months.
Commissioned by
Nxt Museum ( Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Artist
Thijs Biersteker
Science Collaboration
Prof. Stefano Mancuso
Production
Woven Studio
Head of Studio
Sophie de Krom
Sculpting
Thijs Biersteker
3D printing recycled plastics
The New Raw
Creative Coding - generative A.I.
y=f(x) lab
Soundscape
End of Time & Scoped Audio
Studio Assistant
Lode Dijkers
With special thanks to: Merel van Helsdingen, Natasha Greenhalgh, Bogomir Doringer - and the rest of the Nxt Museum team, International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology (LINV), University of Florence, Tim Gerritsen, Roy Gerritsen, Panos Sakkas, Foteini Setaki, Nickolas Maslarinos - The New Raw, Reinhard Bischoff - Decentlab, Dominic Vreezen - Faber, Neef Mazereeuw.
Research and
collaboration
Collaboration
Delft University of Technology
Collaboration
Stefano Mancuso
