GMU:Design with Fungi / Lidya / Blob: Difference between revisions

For our investigation, an environment was prepared for ''Physarum polycephalum''—commonly known as "Blob"—a microscopic organism frequently used in bioart due to its similarities to human social behavior. This experiment allowed Blob to rediscover the city of Hamburg, where the selected screen is located. By viewing the city through the perspective of a non-human actor, we aimed to examine its past and future, moving beyond the human-centered transformations that have shaped Hamburg over time.

1.2 '''Objectives of the Project'''

The ''Blob'' project is rooted in the exploration of humanity's relationship with nature, particularly focusing on themes of rebirth, consumption, and the cyclical nature of life. By replacing the human actor with ''Physarum polycephalum'' (Blob), the project shifts the narrative from a human-centered perspective to one that considers the agency and behavior of a non-human organism. The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, a symbol of architectural evolution and adaptation, serves as the starting point for this exploration. Through Blob’s movements and interactions within the city, the project reveals how urban environments can be understood and shaped by non-human actors, challenging conventional design practices and encouraging a rethinking of human impact on nature.

The storyline begins with the emergence of Blob, replacing the human as the central actor. Starting from the Elbphilharmonie building, Blob begins to spread across the city of Hamburg, mirroring its natural growth patterns observed in Petri dish experiments. This initial phase symbolizes the birth of a new perspective, where the city is viewed through the eyes of a non-human organism.[[File:Figure3.jpg|center|frameless|400x400px]]<small>Editing made by: Amna Chaudhry</small>

'''Exploration:'''

'''Undefined:'''

As Blob continues to move, it leaves traces of itself behind, marking these points as memories. These traces signify areas that are no longer suitable for the Blob, preventing it from revisiting them. However, in leaving these marks, Blob disrupts the environment, transforming the texture of the city. The familiar pattern of Hamburg becomes undefined, symbolizing the dissolution of human-centric urban structures and the emergence of a new, undefined landscape shaped by non-human agency.[[File:Fig7.jpg|center|frameless|400x400px]]<small>Content made by: Torben Zsagar</small>

'''Dead End:'''

As it moves, Blob encounters challenges, undergoes transformations, and occasionally retreats to new areas, only to repeat the cycle. This phase reflects the cyclical nature of life, where growth and decay are intertwined, and where the search for a sustainable future is ongoing but fraught with obstacles.[[File:Figure6.jpg|center|frameless|400x400px]]

Non-Human Agency: By focusing on Blob, the project challenges the anthropocentric view that has dominated urban design and development. It calls attention to the importance of considering non-human actors in shaping the future of our cities, advocating for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to design.

3. '''Process, Tools, and Challenges'''

[[File:Figure 11.jpg|center|frameless|400x400px]]<small>'''first control group petri dish, based on 1300’s map diagram'''</small>

'''Step 4 - Eight Days of Growth''': Within eight days, the Blob expanded to cover the areas corresponding to the population density of Hamburg in 1892.

'''Step 5 - Second Food Replacement''': The final set of food sources was introduced based on the dense urban fabric map from 2018, representing the present-day population distribution of Hamburg.

'''Step 6 - Sixteen Days of Growth''': At this stage, the Blob was no longer guided by external intervention. Instead, it was left to determine the future overpopulation and consumption scenario of the city on its own. The experiment continued until the 16th day, when the Blob began to weaken due to stress, marking the end of the timelapse.

After capturing the images over the three-week period, Adobe Lightroom was used to compile and organize the photos. This phase was crucial in preparing the raw visual data for further refinement. The next step involved using Adobe Premiere, where contrast and overlap adjustments were made to enhance the visuals and ensure consistency across the sequence. These adjustments were necessary to prepare the images for final processing in TouchDesigner, where the visual narrative of the Blob’s growth would be fully realized.