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

'''2.3.''' Key themes and messages

#'''Introduction'''

“The "Beyond the Screens" project module explores the potential of large-scale urban screens and media facades as platforms for visualizing ecological processes, aiming to make climate change tangible, visible, and experiential in public spaces. The project challenges the anthropocentric viewpoint by asking how we can design environments that recognize the needs and dynamics of non-human organisms, extending beyond human understanding and interests. By mapping, tracking, and narrating interactions within urban ecologies, the project seeks to give a voice to beyond-human species, using digital screens and media architecture to bridge the gap between art, science, and technology.”

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.

The project aims to explore how urban screens can serve as ecological visualization zones, making climate change perceptible and experiential to the public. By engaging a non-human actor like Blob, the project seeks to reimagine urban environments, highlighting the often-overlooked dynamics of non-human organisms. Our goal is to create a narrative that informs and inspires a re-evaluation of humanity's relationship with the natural world, fostering greater public awareness at the crossroads of art, science, and technology.

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.

To enable the Blob to replicate the historical growth of Hamburg up to the present day, we began by analyzing the city’s population density distribution from its earliest settlement to the present. Understanding how Hamburg had developed over time was crucial for guiding the Blob's growth and enabling it to simulate potential future expansion.

The process of cultivating the Blob required careful attention and time to ensure strong and visible growth. Over three weeks, photos were taken every 15 minutes to document the Blob's growth. The project aimed to align the Blob’s growth with a symbolic timeline reflecting Hamburg’s historical expansion from the 1300s to the present. This approach allowed the Blob’s growth pattern to mimic the city’s development, adding a deeper layer of meaning to the visual narrative. However, the process was not without challenges, as the risk of contamination could lead to mold formation in the Petri dish, potentially compromising the results.

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.