Installation: Augmented Visions of the NatureVerse - by [dNASAb]

Name: Installation: Augmented Visions of the NatureVerse - by [dNASAb]
Start: 2024-12-27T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-12-27T23:30:00-05:00
Location: 1440 Ocean Drive,Miami Beach,33139,US

Schedule

Fri Dec 27 2024 at 07:00 pm to 11:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

1440 Ocean Drive,Miami Beach,33139,US | Miami Beach, FL

site-specific projection-based artwork at The Betsy Hotel
Installation: Augmented Visions of the NatureVerse - by [dNASAb]
Projections on the ORB Nov 21 (opening), Dec 1-12, and Dec 31, 2024 - after sunset
Augmented Reality Activated Stills - Window Installation - Nov 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025
Presented with the City of Miami Beach No Vacancy Program , Jorge Perez Family Foundation CreARTE Program and The Betsy Writers Room
All events are free and open to the public.
Faux Ecologies + Augmented Visions of the Micro-verse not only explores the fragility of marine ecosystems but also pushes the boundaries of environmental storytelling through cutting-edge technology. By integrating film, sculpture, AI, and interactive media, this project offers a unique, immersive experience that invites viewers to reconsider their relationship with nature and the invisible impacts of human activity on our environment.
Artist Statement: “Faux Ecologies + Augmented Visions of the Micro-verse”
In “ Faux Ecologies + Augmented Visions of the Micro-verse” , I delve into the hidden world of microplastics and microorganisms, using AI-assisted filmmaking to visualize their intricate, often unseen interactions. This installation, created for the No Vacancy project by the City of Miami Beach for Art Basel 2024 and centered around “The Orb” at The Betsy Hotel, transforms the spherical form of the structure into a dynamic, translucent water droplet that reveals an imagined ecosystem at a microscopic scale.
By projecting a see-through, slide-like animation onto “The Orb,” I create the illusion of peering through a microscope, where reclaimed plastics merge with krill, plankton, and other microorganisms. This hybrid ecosystem blends elements of both the natural and synthetic, derived from sculptures I’ve crafted from reclaimed plastic waste and then transformed into AI-generated life forms. The organisms—both real and fabricated—appear to coexist in this visualized drop of water, illustrating how pollution subtly alters the natural world and reshapes marine ecosystems.
The film’s animation is driven by AI models trained on my sculptures, bringing an organic fluidity to this imagined micro-verse. The result is a surreal, hyper-detailed exploration of life on an invisible scale, where the boundaries between living organisms and plastic debris blur. This work raises critical questions about the environmental impact of plastic waste on even the most fundamental levels of life, challenging viewers to confront the far-reaching consequences of human pollution.
In addition to the visual storytelling, the film is punctuated by “Environmental Infomercials” , a series of kinetic typography animations that deliver educational messages. These commercial-style interventions are designed to raise awareness about the environmental crisis, continuing my media hacktivism and ad-busting practice. Through these eco-conscious storytelling strategies, the infomercials critique greenwashing while delivering direct, thought-provoking content that engages viewers in a deeper reflection on the state of our planet.