The Underground Nature: ‘An Immersive Tale of Utopian Harmony’
’’ Discover an imaginative and innovative art experience at 'The Underground Nature' exhibition, where technology shapes an underground utopian oasis. The exhibit adressess the AI potential in creating a magical fusion of urban and natural elements beneath the city's surface. ‘‘
STORY | Envision an exhibition setting featuring an immersive art installation that unveils an underground utopian nature. Instead of viewing AI as a threat, through 'The Underground Nature’ case the new technologies are envisioned as a catalyst for creating a utopian natural landscape, a hidden oasis beneath the surface of the city. The objective was clear – to bring the undeground to life by creating a magical fusion between the urban environment and the technological advancements that defined the city's rhythm.
Picture a realm where nature asserts itself, giving rise to a novel landscape emerging from beneath the ground, fostering an environment for contemplation and profound impressions. Water droplets cascade from the ceiling amidst hanging vegetation, while stones and greenery surface from the reflective floor, mirroring the appearance of a water surface. Sculpted trees contribute verticality to the room, and their reflections reshape the viewer's perception, leading them into an expansive space without discernible limits, both physically and psychologically.
The space gracefully envelops various natural elements, beckoning exploration and encouraging visitors to chart their unique journey within its confines. The lighting design orchestrates a mystical ambiance, orchestrating a dance between light and shadows that captivates the senses.
This atmospheric setting invites individuals to immerse themselves in an unseen fantasy world—one characterized by contrasts that challenge preconceptions while simultaneously providing a secure haven for introspection.
'The Underground Nature' - River Bank - Walking along the water flow - Atmosphere | Linear shores created by the landform, weavy epoxy coating for the water flow, sound on (water flow, peables in the water)
'The Underground Nature' - Mountain lake - Exploration of the landform - Atmosphere | freedom and simplicity of being on a higher level, overlooking throughout the room, sound on (wind blowing), smell on (woody, green scents, fresh air smell)
'The Underground Nature' - Lake Garden - A garden for senses - Atmosphere | surrounded by a colorful installation of plants hanging from the ceiling and their reflection in the flooring, smell on (a combination of different smells from flowering plants), sounds on (ornamental grasses as children walk past them, birdsong, a water feature, a path made of small stones or gravel)
'The Underground Nature' - Summer rain - Feel and hear the rain - Atmosphere | hanging water drops from the ceiling giving a sense of rain, sound on (rain sound, leaves in the wind), smell on (Petrichor, woody, fresh), touch on (misty installation)
'The Underground Nature' - The komorebi effect - Dreamy lighting and sound - Atmosphere | lighting installation behind the green installation, changing rithms of the light, sound on (buzzing insects, leaves in the wind)
'The Underground Nature' - Marsh meadow - Grass waving in the breeze - Atmosphere | breeze installation, sound on (grass in the wind, buzzing insects)
'The Underground Nature' - The tree of life - A safe space, a moment for connecting and reflecting - Atmosphere | tranquility, sound on (Binaural beats in the alpha frequencies (8 to 13 Hz) in order to relax, promote positivity and decrease anxiety)
'The Underground Nature' - Grassland - A spot for contemplation around a pond - Atmosphere - tranquility, sound on ( wind blowing, pond water sound)
'The Underground Nature' - Tropical forest - The moist warmth of summer days - Atmosphere | hot, moist, sound on (the rustle of leaves on trees, insects buzz, frogs yelp, birds shriek, mammals scuttle, and bats click), smell on (fresh, wet, thick, pungent smell of vegetation that fills the air)
'The Underground Nature' - The mangroves - The nature in within - symbolizing our inner strength and courage during times of struggle and upheaval
OBJECTIVE | The purpose of the 'The Underground Nature' project was to visually articulate the potential synergy between our natural environment and the possibilities offered by technological advancement and artificial intelligence.
MISSION | The mission aimed to shift the prevailing perception of AI from a negative force to one that uncovers its positive potential, envisioning an utopian natural landscape facilitated by its application. The exploration of our natural surroundings transcends conventional boundaries, extending even to an underground context, where an idealized subterranean natural environment comes to life.
DESCRIPTION | Subterraneously, the creation of conditions relies on technology, media art, and AI, utilizing a spectrum of materials ranging from natural elements like stones, specific plants, tree bark, and branches to artificial components such as green epoxy and recycled materials. The deliberate blend of these materials breathes life into the space.
The exhibition unfolds on a green epoxy floor, a pivotal design element resembling a water surface. The epoxy's transparency reveals natural elements beneath and emerging from the floor, symbolizing a genesis of landforms and providing an immersive introduction for viewers.
Vertical sculptural structures, mimicking trees and tree bark, integrate seamlessly into the environment. The tree canopy engages in a playful interplay with the lighting system and shadows, producing a 'Komorebi' effect. Specially selected plants, thriving under grow lights, including the Prayer Plant, Cast Iron Plant, and ZZ Plant, introduce nature underground. A smart-colored LED system supports these plants, and their reflections on the floor generate a perception of infinite dimensional space.
ATMOSPHERE | The ambiance is shaped by the interplay of lighting, reflections, textures, and sounds, culminating in a utopian and fantastical natural world. Beyond engaging the senses, this environment provides a secure space for contemplation and reflection.
