MEQUATION

Mequation shows, in a single personalised number, how extraordinary it is that you exist. Right here. Right now

From all the known planets in the universe, to the rare few that could sustain life. From the enormous biodiversity on our planet earth, to all the billions of humans walking it. All the way down to you. Standing here. At this precise time. In this exact location. With this unrepeatable genetic code.

When you step in front of the mirror, it sees you. Not to identify you, but to see how unique you are. Sensors read the colour of your eyes, your height, your exact location at that precise moment. Then the equation reaches outward, into the universe, through data collected from research groups around the world.

It pulls live data from astrophysical archives tracking newly discovered exoplanets. From the catalogue of stars in our galaxy. From the population counter, where four humans are born and two die every second. From the geolocation feeds counting every other person standing near you. All of it converges. The equation runs. And the numbers begin to flip.

A mesmerising mechanical clicking fills the space. The soft analogue clatter of a universe doing the math on your existence in real time. Nothing is stored. No face, no measurement, no number is kept. The moment is the moment, and then it's gone.

This equation does not exist online.
Not in a paper.
No AI machine,
no textbook on the planet holds it.

Mequation exists only inside the artwork, and only when you are standing in front of it. The moment you walk away, your number is gone forever

Commissioned by
World Economic Forum

Curator
Joseph Fowler

Commissioned by — NWO, Woven Foundation, Leiden University

Supported by — SRON, European Research Council (ERC), CIIIC fund

Artist — Thijs Biersteker (Woven Studio / Woven Foundation)

Scientific partner — Dr. Yamila Miguel (Leiden University / SRON)

Sustainably created by — Woven Studio

Communication, education and data visualisation — Woven Foundation

Studio Director — Sophie de Krom

Head of Engineering — Tomáš Potůček

Software development — Denisa Půbalová

Animations — Thijs Biersteker, Maria Shubina

Technical build — Thijs Biersteker, Tomáš Potůček

Technical build, flipdots — Marcin Krysinski, flipdots.com

With special thanks to Maria Shubina, Daan van der Sman, Riangelo Christie, Maureen Voestermans, Frans Snik, Andrea Bandelli, Heleen Rouw.