Inspiration for this art instllation comes from the ever-changing Earth. Over millions of years, plate tectonics reshape our planet. Ocean can become deserts, and new land forms. As the world shifts, lving things change too. They find new ways to work together and survive. We humans are part of nature, relying on the Earth's air, water, and food to survive. However, our actions can harm the environment, often in ways we don't immediately notice. For example, in cities like Las Vegas, excessive water and energy use can cause hidden damage to the ecosystem. The desert, where such cities are built, presents unique challenges for survival. Plants like cacti have developed special adaptations to thrive in these harsh conditions, such as storing water in their stems. These natural solutions inspire new approaches to designing buildings in desert. Learning from cacti and other desert plants can lead to living spaces that work in harmony with the dry landscape, using resources more efficiently and reducing environmental impact.

The main idea behind this work are bionics and architecture. Bionics means using nature's designs to solve human problems. Many builders don't think enough about the environment. This leads to buildings that harm nature. But we can look at how plants and animals live to make better buildings. For example, trees use energy efficiently, a principle we can apply to our designs. Trees maximize sunlight capture through their leaf arrangement and convert it into energy through photosynthesis. They also regulate water use and temperature through their shape and bark structre. The installation explores how buildings could work like living things, adapting to their environment and using resources efficiently. It questions traditional building practices that often ignore the need for ecological balance.

The art installation allows people to touch sensors and hear stories from both humans and animals in the year 2100, blending these narratives to encourage viewers to reflect on the long-term effects of our choices. By learning about how animals live and what they do for the environment, we can understand why it's important to protect them. The installation also acts as a mirror of our impact on the environment. By making this relationship visible and interactive, it aims to inspire thinking about how to live in greater harmony with nature. Additionally, it uses 3D printing to showcase new ways of creating sustainable living spaces, inspired by the shapes and functions of desert animals and plants.

The four pictures above show the following layers: the ocean layer (1), the dinosaur layer (2), the grassland layer (3), and the desert layer (4). The main material used to create these shapes is resin. In the ocean layer, the color is blue, and some shells and fish bones have been added. The second layer, the dinosaur layer, is dark green, featuring dinosaur bones and grass branches. The third layer represents the grassland, which is transitioning into a desert, and includes various dried flowers. The top layer is the desert, which is uneven with 0.5 inches of sand, and contains cacti and succulents. The layered design of this installation serves as a visual representation of Earth's geological and ecological history, showcasing how environments transform over time. By using resin to create distinct layers with embedded artifacts, the artwork provides a tangible experience that allows viewers to witness the progression from ancient oceans to modern deserts, emphasizing the continuous cycle of change in our planet's ecosystems. This approach not only educates viewers about Earth's history but also encourages reflection on the current state of our environment and the potential future changes we may face, making the artwork both informative and thought-provoking.

The creation of this art installation involved a mix of digital design and physical construction. The use of Parakeet and Kangaroo libraries played a key role in the design process. These libraries likely aided in creating complex geometries. To overcome some challenges, I watched tutorials and used tools like Param Viewer and Panel components to ensure data consistency throughout the design process.

The design began with two main structures. For the first, a circle was drawn and then extruded using Series and Unit Z components to set floor heights and numbers. A Dispatch component was used to create a weave-style decoration, spreading data into two directions using a True/False pattern. The second structure started as a rectangle, again using Series and Unit Z for floor creation. Rotate and Random components were applied to give each floor a unique orientation. List, Sequence, and Tree components helped form supporting walls and connections between floors. Throughout the design process, managing data structure was a key focus. In Grasshopper software, data often flows between different components or nodes. Each component may have inputs and outputs, which can thought of as branches in a tree-like structure. When working with complex designs, these data structures can become intricate. Sometimes, the output from one component doesn't match the required input format of the next component. This mismatch can cause errors or unexpected results in the design. To resolve this, three key operations were used: simplifying to remove unnecessary data hierarchy, grafting to add levels when needed, and flattening to turn complex data into a single list. These adjustments ensured the integrity of the design, prevented errors, and allowed for smoother creation of complex designs by matching data points between components.

Before the model was 3D printed, the model was inspected for exposed edges and fixed if there were any, and the pillars were thickened to ensure structural stability. To increase the realistic quality of the installation, small 3D printed animals and characters were added to create a more immersive experience. The art installation’s tech stack also utilized Arduino, LED strips, and touch sensors. Two touch sensors were set up, each controlling a set of LED lights. This allows participants to interact with the installation, change the color of the lights and turn them on or off. The other three touch sensors were added for storytelling purposes. When activated, it triggers audio playback, adding another layer of engagement to the piece. This audio element may share stories or information related to the theme of environmental change and adaptation of the installation.

The video above demonstrates three stories. In the year 2100, Mary and Sarah think about how humans have adapted to desert life, with bionic buildings that mimic cacti to store water and solar panels that move like sunflower heads to capture the sunlight. Meanwhile, an eagle rests on the roof, observing the collaboration between man and nature. The buildings are designed to fit seamlessly into the harsh landscape, and humans draw inspiration from the hardy desert flora and fauna. Both stories emphasize the power and beauty of living in harmony with the environment. The third story is about two friends who discover a mysterious cave in the desert, triggering conversations about the future, imagining either a high-tech world with sustainable innovations or a barren wasteland where civilization is in ruins. They reflect on the potential changes the world could face by 2100 while appreciating the cave's strange appearance.